Facial surface
Facies facialis
- Related terms: Facial surface of maxilla
Definition
The facial surface is the external, lateral, and irregularly convex face. It is characterized by the presence of the facial crest, a muscular attachment point.
It is bounded caudally by the maxillary tuberosity, ventrally, and by the zygomatic process,dorsally. On its rostral side is the infraorbital foramen, the opening of the infraorbital canal. Anterior to this is a depression, the canine fossa, which extends to the orbit. The molars similarly define vertical alveolar ridges.
Variation :
In species with well-developed canines, the canine fossa is bounded on the rostral side of the bone by the ridge formed by the alveoli of these teeth.
References
Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 1, Ostéologie, 5th edition, Vigot, Paris, 2017.
König HE, Lieibich HG. Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic mammals, 6th edition, Schattauer, Stuttgart, 2014.
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature, 3rd Edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
