Temporal fossa and temporal line: anatomy of the temple
- Nerve
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Definition
- Shallow depression on the side of the skull, behind the lateral border of the orbit and above the zygomatic arch.
- Upper boundary
- Temporal line, a curved ridge running from the lateral border of the orbit backward and upward.
- Anterior boundary
- Frontal process of the zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of the frontal bone.
- Lower boundary
- Zygomatic arch, laterally, and infratemporal crest, medially.
- Contents
- Temporalis muscle, fat pads, fasciae, and temporal vessels and nerves.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- It is the bony base of the temple; its concavity becomes evident with volume loss.
The temporal fossa is a shallow depression on the side of the skull, located behind the lateral border of the orbit and above the zygomatic arch. It is bounded above by the temporal line, a curved bony ridge that starts at the lateral border of the orbit and runs backward. Inside the fossa are the temporalis muscle, the temporal fat pads, the fasciae, and the vessels and nerves of the region. It is the bony base of the temple.
What are the boundaries of the temporal fossa?
| Boundary | Structure |
|---|---|
| Superior and posterior | Temporal lines (superior and inferior) of the frontal and parietal bones |
| Anterior | Frontal process of the zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of the frontal bone |
| Inferior | Zygomatic arch, laterally, and infratemporal crest of the greater wing of the sphenoid, medially |
| Floor | Frontal, parietal and temporal bones and greater wing of the sphenoid, which meet at the pterion |
Below the zygomatic arch, the temporal fossa communicates with the infratemporal fossa. It is by this route that the temporalis muscle descends to insert on the coronoid process of the mandible, and that the buccal fat pad sends its temporal extension upward.
What is the temporal line and why does it show?
There are actually two nearby lines: the superior one, where the temporal fascia attaches, and the inferior one, where the temporalis muscle begins. At the front, they converge near the lateral border of the orbit, in an area of firm attachment called the temporal adhesion. In thin or older people, or those who exercise a lot, the line is visible as a step between the forehead and the temple, and the fossa below it looks deeper.
What is inside the temporal fossa?
| Layer | Main contents |
|---|---|
| Superficial | Temporoparietal fascia, with the superficial temporal artery and the temporal branch of the facial nerve |
| Intermediate | Deep temporal fascia (with two layers in its lower part), superficial fat pad, middle temporal vein |
| Deep | Deep fat pad, temporalis muscle, middle temporal artery and deep temporal arteries |
| Bony | Periosteum and bone, thinner in the pterion region |
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
- Hollow temple: with age and weight loss, fat and muscle decrease and the fossa becomes concave, breaking the ogee curve of the side of the face.
- Risk map: the vessels lie in several planes, and the anatomy of the fossa is the basis for any risk reading in the temple.
- Active muscle: the temporalis contracts when chewing, which changes the contour of the area during assessment.
How does it show up in assessment?
- Frontal and oblique view: concavity of the temple and visibility of the temporal line and the orbital rim.
- Palpation while clenching the teeth: shows the bulk of the temporalis muscle.
- Visible veins in the temple and history of procedures in the area.
Also known as: fossa temporalis, temporal line (linea temporalis), temporal crest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the temporal line?
It is a curved ridge on the bone, on each side of the skull, that starts at the lateral border of the orbit and runs backward and upward. It marks the upper limit of the temporal fossa and the border of origin of the temporalis muscle and attachment of the fasciae.
Which bones form the temporal fossa?
The floor is formed by the frontal, parietal and temporal bones and the greater wing of the sphenoid. The meeting point of these four bones, called the pterion, is an area of thinner bone.