Vascularization of the maxilla by a branch of the submandibular artery

Vascular variations are common. A cervicofacial anatomical dissection carried out at the anatomy laboratory allowed us to document a rare vascular variation. The facial artery did not give rise to branches that led to the submandibular gland; an artery arising directly from the external carotid artery vascularized the submandibular gland and gave rise to the ascending palatine artery that led to the maxilla. We did not find cases in the literature where an artery emanated directly from the external carotid artery to vascularize the submandibular gland and that gave rise to an ascending palatine artery leading to the maxilla. Knowledge of the variations of the arterial vascularisation of the submandibular gland is important for submandibulectomies and transfers of the gland.