The facial vein, also referred to as the anterior vein of the face, begins from the angular vein at the bottom of the nose. The anterior vein runs a path down and backward through the face. It drains into both the jugular vein inside the neck and the anterior region of the retromandibular vein, which is located at the back of the jaw.

Unlike other superficial veins, the anterior vein is not flaccid and contains no valves. The anterior vein sometimes combines with the posterior vein to create a common facial vein. However, this formation does not occur in all individuals.