Temporal fasciae: the layers of the temple
Quick facts
- Temporoparietal fascia
- Superficial layer, a continuation of the SMAS and the galea; contains the superficial temporal vessels.
- Deep temporal fascia
- Covers the temporalis muscle and attaches to the superior temporal line and the zygomatic arch.
- Splitting
- Above the zygomatic arch, the deep fascia splits into superficial and deep layers, with fat between them.
- Structures at risk
- Temporal branch of the facial nerve, superficial temporal artery, middle temporal vein and sentinel vein.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- They define the injection planes in the temple and explain where the vessels and nerve are.
The temporal fasciae are the layers of connective tissue that organize the temple, between the skin and the bone of the temporal fossa. The two main ones are the temporoparietal fascia, which is more superficial and continuous with the SMAS, and the deep temporal fascia, which is denser and covers the temporalis muscle. Understanding these layers is what lets you know where the vessels and the temporal branch of the facial nerve run when filling the temples.
What are the layers of the temple?
| Layer (from skin to bone) | What it contains or why it matters |
|---|---|
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue | Superficial fat; smaller vessels |
| Temporoparietal fascia (superficial temporal) | Continuation of the SMAS and the galea; superficial temporal artery and accompanying vein |
| Loose areolar tissue | Gliding plane; the temporal branch of the facial nerve runs just below or within the deep surface of the temporoparietal fascia |
| Deep temporal fascia, superficial layer | Above the arch, attaches to the lateral border of the zygomatic arch |
| Superficial temporal fat pad | Fat between the two layers; the middle temporal vein runs here |
| Deep temporal fascia, deep layer | Attaches to the medial border of the arch |
| Deep temporal fat pad and temporalis muscle | Fat connected to the buccal fat pad; deep temporal arteries next to the bone |
| Periosteum and bone | Plane used as a depth reference |
Above the point where the deep fascia splits, usually a few centimeters above the arch, it is a single layer attached to the superior temporal line. There, along the lateral border of the forehead, the layers join at the temporal adhesion.
Why is the nomenclature confusing?
The term "superficial temporal fascia" is used by some as a synonym for the temporoparietal fascia and by others for the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia. When reading an article or following a lecture, check which layer the author is describing. Using "temporoparietal" for the layer that continues the SMAS avoids this mistake.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
- Injection planes: temple filler is usually described in two planes, a deep one, next to the bone, and a superficial one, in the subcutaneous tissue. Between them lie the layers with the most vessels and the nerve.
- Volume loss: temporal hollowing involves atrophy of the temporal fat pad and of the muscle, as well as bone remodeling.
- Venous landmarks: the sentinel vein crosses the fasciae near the lateral border of the orbit and helps locate the temporal branch of the facial nerve.
Also known as: temporal fascia, temporoparietal fascia, superficial and deep temporal fascia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the superficial and the deep temporal fascia?
The superficial one, also called temporoparietal, lies just below the subcutaneous tissue and continues the SMAS. The deep one is firmer, covers the temporalis muscle and, near the zygomatic arch, splits into two layers. Some authors use the name superficial temporal fascia for a different layer, which causes confusion.