Maxillary vein

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 16 Feb 2024

The maxillary vein drains the pterygoid plexus and joins with the superficial temporal vein to form the retromandibular vein in the substance of the parotid gland 1.

Gross anatomy

The pterygoid plexus, and by extension, the maxillary vein helps to drain the areas supplied by the maxillary artery 2. The maxillary vein lies deep to the neck of the mandible and runs a short course before forming the retromandibular vein.

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