Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology
This domain tests facial bones, muscles of expression and mastication, sensory and motor nerves, blood supply, and lymph drainage as they relate to safe esthetic services.
Core rules
- Key facial bones include the frontal, zygomatic, maxilla, mandible, nasal, and lacrimal bones. The orbital rim and temporomandibular joint are important landmarks.
- Muscles of expression include frontalis, orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, zygomaticus major/minor, and platysma. Masseter and temporalis are muscles of mastication.
- The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides facial sensation through ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches. The facial nerve (CN VII) provides motor control to facial muscles.
- Blood supply includes the facial artery and superficial temporal artery. Lymph nodes include preauricular, parotid, submandibular, submental, and cervical groups.
- Lymph moves toward deeper nodes; massage strokes generally follow drainage pathways with light pressure.
Worked example
During a facial massage, a client reports tingling near the upper lip and cheek. Recognize the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve and avoid deep pressure over thin skin and bony landmarks. Use light effleurage toward the preauricular and submandibular nodes. Reasoning: nerve branches and lymph vessels are superficial in the face; deep pressure can cause discomfort or bruising.
Traps
- Deep pressure does not speed lymph flow; lymph vessels are superficial and delicate.
- The facial nerve is motor, while the trigeminal nerve is mainly sensory.
- Bony landmarks should be avoided during pressure work.
- Do not massage over swollen or tender lymph nodes.