The external maxillary vein (maxillaris externum, from the Latin maxilla - upper jaw and externus - external, external) lies in the superficial layer of the masticatory fascia on the outer surface of the body of the jaw; starts from the mandibular edge of the branches of the lower jaw and the ascending branch, accompanies it down and forward along the outer surface of the branch, then passes along the interdental edge along with the alveolar process of the lower jaw. When it meets a branch, it departs from it into the infraorbital foramen and immediately opens into the pterygoid plexus.