Lateral temporal-cheek fat compartment: anatomy
Quick facts
- Definition
- Superficial fat compartment of the lateral cheek, near the temple and in front of the ear.
- Neighbors
- Parotid, masseter, zygomatic arch and temporal fossa areas.
- Boundaries
- Septa and ligaments such as the zygomatic ligament, which separate it from the malar compartment.
- Clinical relationship
- Volume loss thins the side of the face and accentuates the zygomatic bone.
Superficial facial fat is organized into compartments separated by septa. The lateral temporal-cheek compartment occupies the lateral part of the cheek, near the temple, in front of the ear and over the area of the parotid gland and the masseter. It is part of the layout described in superficial facial compartments.
What are the neighbors and the boundaries?
Above is the temporal fossa, a hollow area in many faces, and in front lies the malar compartment, separated by ligaments such as the zygomatic ligament. Below is the space over the masseter (premasseter space). Branches of the facial nerve pass through this region, among them the temporal branch, which relates to the movements of the forehead.
Why does it matter in HOF?
In faces that lose fat, the transition between the temple and the cheek becomes irregular: the temple sinks, the zygomatic arch shows and the side of the face looks more angular or tired. Part of the complaint of an "aged face" or one that is "too thin" comes from this area, and it is not always solved with cheekbone filler alone.
| Observation | Possibility |
|---|---|
| Sunken temple and flat lateral cheek | Loss of lateral and temporal volume |
| Projected cheekbone and hollow lateral cheek | Contrast between compartments |
| Wide lateral face | Masseter or fat, a different assessment |
In Harmy
In Harmy, the Temple and Cheekbone points let you simulate the side of the face by ml. The projection is illustrative and does not distinguish the compartments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lateral temporal-cheek compartment?
It is the superficial fat that occupies the lateral cheek, between the temple and the area in front of the ear. It is part of the map of the superficial facial compartments.
Why does the side of the face thin with age?
There is loss of superficial and deep fat, bone resorption and laxity. The area loses fullness and the zygomatic arch becomes more evident.