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The superficial temporal vein is a
vein Veins are blood vessels in humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated b ...
of the side of the head. It begins on the side and
vertex Vertex, vertices or vertexes may refer to: Science and technology Mathematics and computer science *Vertex (geometry), a point where two or more curves, lines, or edges meet *Vertex (computer graphics), a data structure that describes the position ...
of the skull in a network of veins which communicates with the
frontal vein The frontal vein (supratrochlear vein) begins on the forehead in a venous plexus which communicates with the frontal branches of the superficial temporal vein. The veins converge to form a single trunk, which runs downward near the middle line of t ...
and supraorbital vein, with the corresponding vein of the opposite side, and with the posterior auricular vein and
occipital vein The occipital vein is a vein of the scalp. It originates from a plexus around the external occipital protuberance and superior nuchal line to the back part of the vertex of the skull. It usually drains into the internal jugular vein, but may also ...
. It ultimately crosses the posterior root of 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 zygomati ...
, enters 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 man ...
, and unites with the
internal maxillary vein The maxillary vein, or internal maxillary vein, is a vein of the head. It is a short trunk which accompanies the first part of the maxillary artery. It is formed by a confluence of the veins of the pterygoid plexus and the interpterygoid emissa ...
to form the
posterior facial vein The retromandibular vein (temporomaxillary vein, posterior facial vein) is a major vein of the face. Anatomy Origin The retromandibular vein is formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins. Course It descends in th ...
.


Structure

It begins on the side and
vertex Vertex, vertices or vertexes may refer to: Science and technology Mathematics and computer science *Vertex (geometry), a point where two or more curves, lines, or edges meet *Vertex (computer graphics), a data structure that describes the position ...
of the skull in a network () which communicates with the
frontal vein The frontal vein (supratrochlear vein) begins on the forehead in a venous plexus which communicates with the frontal branches of the superficial temporal vein. The veins converge to form a single trunk, which runs downward near the middle line of t ...
and supraorbital vein, with the corresponding vein of the opposite side, and with the posterior auricular vein and
occipital vein The occipital vein is a vein of the scalp. It originates from a plexus around the external occipital protuberance and superior nuchal line to the back part of the vertex of the skull. It usually drains into the internal jugular vein, but may also ...
. From this network frontal and parietal branches arise, and join 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 zygomati ...
to form the trunk of the vein, which is joined by the
middle temporal vein Middle or The Middle may refer to: * Centre (geometry), the point equally distant from the outer limits. Places * Middle (sheading), a subdivision of the Isle of Man * Middle Bay (disambiguation) * Middle Brook (disambiguation) * Middle Creek ...
emerging from the
temporalis muscle In anatomy, the temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a broad, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomati ...
. It then crosses the posterior root of 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 zygomati ...
, enters the substance of 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 man ...
, and unites with the
internal maxillary vein The maxillary vein, or internal maxillary vein, is a vein of the head. It is a short trunk which accompanies the first part of the maxillary artery. It is formed by a confluence of the veins of the pterygoid plexus and the interpterygoid emissa ...
to form the
posterior facial vein The retromandibular vein (temporomaxillary vein, posterior facial vein) is a major vein of the face. Anatomy Origin The retromandibular vein is formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins. Course It descends in th ...
.


Tributaries

The superficial temporal vein receives in its course the following: * some
parotid veins 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 ma ...
*
articular veins The articular bone is part of the lower jaw of most vertebrates, including most jawed fish, amphibians, birds and various kinds of reptiles, as well as ancestral mammals. Anatomy In most vertebrates, the articular bone is connected to two o ...
from the
temporomandibular joint In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the mandible below; it is from these bones that it ...
*
anterior auricular veins The anterior auricular veins are veins which drain the anterior aspect of the external ear. The veins drains to the superficial temporal vein The superficial temporal vein is a vein of the side of the head. It begins on the side and vertex of the ...
from the auricula * the transverse facial vein from the side of the face


References


External links

* ()
Diagram at Tufts.edu

Diagram at stchas.edu
{{Authority control Veins of the head and neck