buccofacial

Buccofacial is an anatomical and clinical term used to describe features, structures, or procedures that involve both the buccal region (the cheek area, including the inner lining known as buccal mucosa) and the facial region. The word combines buccal with facial, drawing attention to a combined cheek-and-face context rather than to either region in isolation.

In practice, buccofacial is used in dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and anatomy to describe areas where the cheek mucosa interfaces with facial soft tissues. It appears in descriptions of surgical approaches, such as buccofacial incisions or buccofacial access to the oral cavity, as well as in discussions of reconstructive techniques that involve both buccal mucosa and facial tissues. The term can also apply to pathologies or procedures that span from the inside of the cheek to external facial structures, such as buccofacial fistulas or buccofacial forms of tissue transfer.

The adjective helps distinguish mixed-cheek-and-face contexts from purely buccal or purely facial conditions. In clinical practice, buccofacial considerations can influence planning for anesthesia, wound management, healing, and rehabilitation, particularly when surgical or diagnostic work crosses between the inner cheek and facial surfaces. Related concepts include buccal mucosa, the buccal nerve, and the facial region, all of which may be involved in buccofacial assessments or interventions.