Superficial temporal artery: anatomy and the temples
- Artery
Quick facts
- Origin
- One of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery (the other is the maxillary), inside the parotid gland.
- Course
- Rises in front of the tragus, crosses the zygomatic arch and runs in the temporoparietal fascia, in the superficial plane of the temple.
- Branches
- Transverse facial, middle temporal, zygomatico-orbital, anterior auricular and the terminal frontal and parietal branches.
- Anastomoses
- The frontal branch communicates with the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries, of the ophthalmic artery system.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Superficial vessel of the temples and lateral forehead; a possible route for an embolus to reach the orbit.
The superficial temporal artery is one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It arises inside the parotid gland, behind the neck of the mandible, rises in front of the ear, crosses the zygomatic arch, where the temporal pulse is felt, and runs in the superficial plane of the temple until it divides into frontal and parietal branches. In facial harmonization (known in Brazil as HOF, orofacial harmonization), it is the main superficial vessel of the temples and one of the links between the blood supply of the lateral face and that of the orbit.
What is the course and what are the branches?
| Segment | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Origin | Parotid gland, behind the neck of the mandible, as a continuation of the external carotid |
| Preauricular | Rises in front of the tragus with the auriculotemporal nerve and the superficial temporal vein |
| Over the arch | Crosses the posterior root of the zygomatic arch in a superficial plane; site of the pulse |
| Temple | Runs within the temporoparietal fascia; usually divides a few centimeters above the arch |
| Frontal branch | Continues tortuously to the lateral forehead and communicates with the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries |
| Parietal branch | Rises and goes backward, in the scalp |
Before dividing, the artery gives off the transverse facial artery, which runs under the arch toward the cheek, the middle temporal artery, which pierces the deep temporal fascia, the zygomatico-orbital artery and branches to the ear. The height of the division and the caliber of the branches vary.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
- Superficial plane of the temple: the artery and the frontal branch lie in the temporoparietal fascia, close to the temporal branch of the facial nerve. This helps explain why the temple has vessels in more than one layer, together with the deep temporal arteries that lie under the temporalis muscle. The layers are covered in layers of the face.
- Link to the orbit: the frontal branch communicates with the supraorbital artery and the supratrochlear artery, branches of the ophthalmic artery. It is one of the routes described for an embolus to reach the eye.
- Visible veins: the superficial temporal artery and vein can be apparent in thin skin, especially in temples with little fat.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Palpating the pulse: in front of the ear and above the arch, it helps with orientation on the course.
- Visible vessels: observe with good light, from the front and in profile.
- Temple pain in an older person: new pain, a hardened or tender artery, pain when chewing or a visual change may point to temporal arteritis, an inflammatory disease that requires urgent medical evaluation.
The procedure for the region is covered in temple filler.
Also called: arteria temporalis superficialis, artery of the temporal pulse.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the temporal pulse felt?
In front of the ear, just above the zygomatic arch, where the superficial temporal artery crosses the bone in a superficial course. It is one of the pulses used in physical examination and an anatomical landmark in the temples.
Why can filling the temple affect vision?
Because the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery communicates with the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries, which come from the ophthalmic artery. Product injected into a vessel can, rarely, follow these communications to the arteries of the eye.