In
human anatomy
The human body is the structure of a human being. It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the viability of the human body.
It comprises a head ...
, the superficial temporal artery is a major
artery
An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel in humans and most animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; the two exceptions are the pu ...
of the
head. It arises from the
external carotid artery
The external carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck. It arises from the common carotid artery when it splits into the external and internal carotid artery. External carotid artery supplies blood to the face and neck.
Structure
...
when it splits into the superficial temporal artery and
maxillary artery.
Its
pulse
In medicine, a pulse represents the tactile arterial palpation of the cardiac cycle (heartbeat) by trained fingertips. The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed near the surface of the body, such as at the ...
can be felt above the
zygomatic arch
In anatomy, the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone, is a part of the skull formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone (a bone extending forward from the side of the skull, over the opening of the ear) and the temporal process of the zygom ...
, above and in front of the
tragus of the ear.
Structure
The superficial temporal artery is the smaller of two end branches that split superiorly from the
external carotid. Based on its direction, the superficial temporal artery appears to be a continuation of the external carotid.
It begins within the
parotid gland
The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the m ...
, behind the neck of the
mandible
In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movable bon ...
, and passes superficially over the posterior root of the
zygomatic process of the
temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears ...
; about 5 cm above this process it divides into two branches: ''a. frontal'', and ''a. parietal''.
Branches
The parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery (posterior temporal) is a small artery in the head. It is larger than the frontal branch and curves upward and backward on the side of the head, lying superficial to the
temporal fascia; it joins with its fellow of the opposite side, and with the
posterior auricular and
occipital arteries.
The frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery (anterior temporal) runs tortuously upward and forward to the
forehead, supplying the muscles, skin, and
pericranium in this region, and anastomosing with the
supraorbital
Supraorbital refers to the region immediately above the eye sockets, where in humans the eyebrows are located. It denotes several anatomical features, such as:
*Supraorbital artery
*Supraorbital foramen
*Supraorbital gland
*Supraorbital nerve
*Sup ...
and
frontal arteries. In an estimate of the path of the nerve in the soft tissue of the temporal frontal branch using landmarks by Pitanguy, he describes a line starting from a point 0.5 cm below the tragus in the direction of the eyebrow, passing 1.5 cm above the lateral extremity of the eyebrow.
Relations
As it crosses the zygomatic process, it is covered by the
auricularis anterior muscle and by a dense fascia; it is crossed by the temporal and zygomatic branches of the
facial nerve
The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of ta ...
and one or two veins, and is accompanied by the
auriculotemporal nerve
The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to various regions on the side of the head.
Structure
Origin
The auriculotemp ...
, which lies immediately behind it.
The superficial temporal artery joins () with, among others, the
supraorbital artery of the
internal carotid artery.
Clinical significance
The superficial temporal artery is often affected in
giant-cell arteritis and
biopsied if the diagnosis is suspected.
Additional images
Gray1200.png, Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. (Superficial temporal a. visible at center, to left of ear.)
Gray508.png, The arteries of the face and scalp
(frontal branch labeled at upper right)
References
External links
* (, )
Angiogram of the superficial temporal arteryDiagram at stchas.edu* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-2.HTM
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Arteries of the head and neck