Anatomy and imaging of the deep fat of the face

The aim of this study is to investigate the deep adipose structures of the face. This study is undertaken on anatomical material dissected or sectione d in the three basic planes and in histological sections. The buccal far pa d is described with its main part and its various extensions implicating se veral superficial and deep regions of the face. Likewise, the parapharyngea l fat pad in the prestyloid space is described. The histology of the struct ures is discussed, together with the non-mobilizable nature of the fat. Ima ging by MRI shows the shape and relations of these fat pads with the neighb oring viscera and muscles and their role as early markers in tumor invasion . Finally, their function, as an intermuscular sliding structure, is highli ghted. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.