What is "inferior labial artery"

n. a branch of the facial artery that supplies the lower lip [syn: arteria labialis inferior]

The inferior labial artery (inferior labial branch of facial artery) arises near the angle of the mouth; it passes upward and forward beneath the Triangularis and, penetrating the Orbicularis oris, runs in a tortuous course along the edge of the lower lip between this muscle and the mucous membrane.

It supplies the labial glands, the mucous membrane, and the muscles of the lower lip; and anastomoses with the artery of the opposite side, and with the mental branch of the inferior alveolar artery.