This study was carried out to verify the course of the facial vein. Left and right facial veins of 50 adult male corpses previously maintained in formaldehyde were dissected and analyzed microscopically as well as under stereomicroscope. In the neck, in relation to the submandibular gland it was found: a) over its lateral surface, in both antimeres , 20 cases (40%); unilaterally to the right, 4 cases (8%) and to the left, 11 cases (22%); b) posterior to the gland, in both antimeres, 9 cases (18%); unilaterally to the right, 9 cases (18%) and to the left, 6 cases (12%); c) medial to the gland, in both antimeres, 2 cases (4%) and d) not directly related to the submandibular gland, in both antimeres, 2 cases (4%); and only in the right antimere, 4 cases (8%) were found.