The parotid gland is the largest major salivary gland, and it produces saliva that drains into the mouth through a duct. It sits in front of and slightly below the ear, over the back of the jaw (mandible). It is clinically important in both reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery because of its close relationship to the facial nerve. It is also a common site for benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

The facial nerve is the main motor nerve that controls facial expression. It also carries some taste fibers and helps regulate tear and saliva gland function. Clinicians map and protect the facial nerve during cosmetic and reconstructive facial procedures. It is central to evaluation and treatment of facial weakness, asymmetry, and facial paralysis.

The trigeminal nerve is the main sensory nerve of the face and also controls a few chewing muscles. It carries feeling from the forehead, cheeks, lips, teeth, and jaw to the brain. Clinicians reference it in both cosmetic and reconstructive facial care to plan safe treatment and manage facial sensation and pain.

The greater occipital nerve is a sensory nerve that supplies feeling to much of the back and top of the scalp. It arises from the upper cervical spine region (most commonly the C2 nerve root) and travels upward toward the scalp. Clinicians use it as an anatomic landmark and treatment target in headache care and some reconstructive or pain-focused procedures. In cosmetic and plastic surgery settings, it is most relevant for scalp/neck anatomy, anesthesia planning, and avoiding nerve irritation during surgery.

The mental nerve is a sensory nerve that supplies feeling to the lower lip, chin, and nearby gum tissue. It is a terminal branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and exits the jaw through the mental foramen (a small opening in the mandible). It is clinically important in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures involving the chin, lower lip, and lower face. It is also a common target for local anesthesia (a “mental nerve block”) and a structure surgeons aim to protect during surgery.

The infraorbital nerve is a sensory nerve that supplies feeling to the lower eyelid, side of the nose, upper lip, and upper cheek. It is a branch of the maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve, a major nerve for facial sensation. Clinicians reference the infraorbital nerve to plan safe cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in the midface and under-eye region. It is also commonly targeted for local anesthesia (a nerve block) during facial and dental-related procedures.

The supraorbital artery is a small blood vessel that supplies the upper eyelid, forehead, and front scalp. It most commonly branches from the ophthalmic artery (a key artery within the orbit). It travels near the supraorbital nerve and emerges around the brow through a notch or small bony opening. In cosmetic and reconstructive care, it is mainly a “structure to protect” and sometimes a “blood supply to use” for local flaps.

The supratrochlear artery is a small blood vessel that supplies the central upper forehead and front scalp. It typically arises from the ophthalmic artery (a branch of the internal carotid circulation) near the inner corner of the eye. In cosmetic and plastic practice, it matters as a landmark to avoid during injections and as a key blood supply for certain forehead-based reconstructive flaps. It is used in both cosmetic planning (safety and anatomy) and reconstructive surgery (tissue perfusion).

The angular artery is a blood vessel near the inner corner of the eye (the medial canthus). It is typically the terminal (end) segment of the facial artery as it ascends along the side of the nose. It supplies blood to nearby facial tissues, including parts of the nose, eyelids, and upper cheek. It is clinically important in both cosmetic injectables and reconstructive facial surgery because it can bleed and can be involved in rare vascular complications.

The facial artery is a major blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the lower and mid-face. It typically arises from the external carotid artery in the neck and travels across the jaw into the face. It is important in both reconstructive surgery (to support tissue flaps) and cosmetic practice (as a key vascular structure to avoid or map). Its course and branches can vary between individuals, which matters for planning and safety.

levator labii refers to the upper-lip–elevating muscles of the midface that help lift the upper lip during facial expression. It is most commonly discussed in anatomy, facial aesthetics, and reconstructive planning around the nose, upper lip, and smile. Clinicians consider it in both cosmetic care (for smile aesthetics) and reconstructive surgery (for repair and facial balance). It is not a “procedure” by itself, but a key structure that can be assessed, preserved, released, repaired, or temporarily weakened.

The nasalis muscle is a small facial muscle that lies over the bridge and sides of the nose. It helps compress or widen parts of the nostrils during facial expression and breathing. Clinically, it is discussed in both cosmetic care (for expression lines and nasal flare) and reconstructive planning (around nasal form and airway support).

zygomaticus major is a facial expression muscle that helps lift and pull the corner of the mouth outward. It runs from the cheekbone (zygomatic bone) toward the mouth corner (modiolus region). It is clinically relevant in both cosmetic and reconstructive facial procedures because it affects smile shape and symmetry. Clinicians also use it as an anatomic landmark to plan safe dissection and injection planes.

The temporalis is a broad, fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head (the temple region). It helps close the jaw and supports chewing by elevating and retracting the mandible. In cosmetic and reconstructive care, temporalis can be a target for contouring or a source of tissue for grafts and flaps. It is commonly discussed in facial aesthetics, craniofacial reconstruction, and facial reanimation planning.

The masseter is a paired chewing muscle on each side of the lower face. It runs from the cheekbone area to the outer surface of the lower jaw. It helps close the mouth and generates bite force during chewing. In cosmetic and reconstructive care, clinicians may evaluate or target the masseter to change lower-face contour or support facial function.

orbicularis oris is a circular facial muscle that surrounds the mouth and forms much of the muscular “core” of the lips. It helps close, purse, and shape the lips for speech, eating, swallowing, and facial expression. In clinical care, it is an important anatomic structure in both cosmetic perioral rejuvenation and reconstructive lip surgery. Many treatments do not “treat the muscle” directly, but their outcomes depend on how this muscle functions and is supported.

orbicularis oculi is a circular facial muscle that surrounds the eye. It helps close the eyelids for blinking, squinting, and forceful eye closure. It also contributes to tear drainage by supporting the eyelid “pump” mechanism. It is commonly discussed in both cosmetic treatments (like wrinkle reduction) and reconstructive eyelid surgery.

The platysma is a thin, superficial muscle that spans the front and sides of the neck. It helps move the lower face and neck skin and contributes to facial expression. In cosmetic surgery, it is often discussed in relation to neck bands and jawline definition. In reconstructive surgery, it may be used as a tissue layer or flap in selected head and neck repairs.

SMAS stands for the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a fibrous and muscular layer in the face and neck. It sits beneath the skin and fatty tissue and connects to facial muscles and supporting tissues. In cosmetic surgery, SMAS is a key layer manipulated during many facelift techniques to reposition facial tissues. In reconstructive surgery, understanding SMAS anatomy can help guide repairs and restore facial contour after trauma or disease.

A motor nerve is a nerve that carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle to create movement. It is part of the “output” side of the nervous system, telling muscles when and how strongly to contract. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, motor nerve anatomy matters because surgeons aim to preserve facial expression and limb function. In reconstructive care, motor nerve repair or rerouting may be used to restore movement after injury or paralysis.