start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=58 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page=145 end-page=148 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250630 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The trochlea for the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle: a review en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=This review explores the novel perspective that the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle may function as an anatomical trochlear pulley system within the human body, challenging the traditional understanding of trochlear systems. While widely recognized trochlear units include structures like the medial part of the humerus and the superior oblique muscle of the orbit, the review focuses on the unique anatomical arrangement of the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle in connection with the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscles. Despite current debates within the anatomical community about labeling the digastric muscles as having a trochlea, this paper delves into the scientific definition of a trochlear pulley system, presenting the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle as a potential trochlea. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=du PlooyXander en-aut-sei=du Plooy en-aut-mei=Xander kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaYuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=CardonaJuan J. en-aut-sei=Cardona en-aut-mei=Juan J. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TabiraYoko en-aut-sei=Tabira en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=BubbKathleen Carol en-aut-sei=Bubb en-aut-mei=Kathleen Carol kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=RaeburnKazzara en-aut-sei=Raeburn en-aut-mei=Kazzara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=IbaragiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Ibaragi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwanagaJoe en-aut-sei=Iwanaga en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TubbsR. Shane en-aut-sei=Tubbs en-aut-mei=R. Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Tulane University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Anatomy Division, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Digastric muscles kn-keyword=Digastric muscles en-keyword=Intermediate tendon kn-keyword=Intermediate tendon en-keyword=Trochlea kn-keyword=Trochlea en-keyword=Anatomy kn-keyword=Anatomy en-keyword=Fascia kn-keyword=Fascia END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol= cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2025 dt-pub=20250609 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=The maxillary vein: an anatomical narrative review with clinical implications for oral and maxillofacial surgeons en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The maxillary vein, despite its clinical significance, remains underexplored in anatomical literature. It plays a crucial role in venous drainage of the maxillofacial region and is closely associated with surgical procedures such as sagittal split ramus osteotomy, mandibuloplasty, and condylar or parotid surgeries. Due to its variable anatomy and proximity to critical structures, the maxillary vein poses a risk of significant hemorrhage if injured. Its small size and deep location make preoperative identification challenging, especially without contrast-enhanced imaging. Embryologically, the maxillary vein originates from the primitive maxillary vein and develops through complex anastomoses with other craniofacial veins. Anatomical studies have revealed several variations, including the presence of accessory mandibular foramina and unusual venous connections, which may increase surgical risk. Understanding the detailed anatomy and potential variations of the maxillary vein is essential for minimizing complications and improving surgical outcomes. Despite its importance, more anatomical and clinical research is needed to better define its course, variations, and implications in oral and maxillofacial surgery. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=RaeburnKazzara en-aut-sei=Raeburn en-aut-mei=Kazzara kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakeshitaYohei en-aut-sei=Takeshita en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakakuraHiroaki en-aut-sei=Takakura en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=KikutaShogo en-aut-sei=Kikuta en-aut-mei=Shogo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=KunisadaYuki en-aut-sei=Kunisada en-aut-mei=Yuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=IbaragiSoichiro en-aut-sei=Ibaragi en-aut-mei=Soichiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=SamridRarinthorn en-aut-sei=Samrid en-aut-mei=Rarinthorn kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=LoukasMarios en-aut-sei=Loukas en-aut-mei=Marios kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=TubbsR. Shane en-aut-sei=Tubbs en-aut-mei=R. Shane kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=IwanagaJoe en-aut-sei=Iwanaga en-aut-mei=Joe kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University kn-affil= affil-num=9 en-affil=Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University kn-affil= affil-num=10 en-affil=Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine kn-affil= en-keyword=Embryology kn-keyword=Embryology en-keyword=Anatomy kn-keyword=Anatomy en-keyword=Radiology kn-keyword=Radiology en-keyword=Cadaver kn-keyword=Cadaver en-keyword=Mandible kn-keyword=Mandible END