Superficial and Deep Facial Anatomy and Its Implications for Rhytidectomy

Jonathan M Sykes; Kiersten L Riedler; Sebastian Cotofana; Peter Palhazi

doi:10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.005

Superficial and Deep Facial Anatomy and Its Implications for Rhytidectomy

Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2020 Aug;28(3):243-251. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.005. Epub 2020 May 6.

Authors

Jonathan M Sykes¹, Kiersten L Riedler², Sebastian Cotofana³, Peter Palhazi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Facial Plastic Surgery, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA; Facial Plastic Surgery, Roxbury Institute, Beverly Hills, CA, USA. Electronic address: jmsykes@ucdavis.edu.
² California Head and Neck Specialists, 5405 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
³ Department of Clinical Anatomy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Stabile Building 9-38, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
⁴ Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Jozsef krt. 30-32., 2.em. 5/A, Budapest 1085, Hungary; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.

PMID: 32503712
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsc.2020.03.005

Abstract

The relationship of the skin, the superficial and deep fat compartments, and the ligaments that connect these structures is key to performing any rhytidectomy. In order to successfully mobilize, elevate, and reposition the facial soft tissues, a detailed understanding of facial anatomy is required. This article details the anatomy of the midface and neck that is essential to understanding and performing the face-lift operation.

Keywords: Aging face; Anatomy; Face-lift; Facial anatomy; Facial surgery; Rhytidectomy; SMAS.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Arteries / anatomy & histology
Face / anatomy & histology*
Facial Nerve / anatomy & histology
Fascia / anatomy & histology
Forehead / anatomy & histology
Humans
Ligaments / anatomy & histology
Rhytidoplasty*
Skin / anatomy & histology*
Subcutaneous Fat / anatomy & histology*
Subcutaneous Tissue / anatomy & histology*
Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System / anatomy & histology
Veins / anatomy & histology