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
The supraorbital vein is a vein of the forehead. It communicates with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal vein. It passes through the supraorbital notch, and merges with the angular vein to form the superior ophthalmic vein. The supra ...
, with the corresponding vein of the opposite side, and with the
posterior auricular vein
The posterior auricular vein is a vein of the head. It begins from a plexus with the occipital vein and the superficial temporal vein, descends behind the auricle, and drains into the external jugular vein.
Structure
The posterior auricular v ...
and
occipital vein. 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, 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
The supraorbital vein is a vein of the forehead. It communicates with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal vein. It passes through the supraorbital notch, and merges with the angular vein to form the superior ophthalmic vein. The supra ...
, with the corresponding vein of the opposite side, and with the
posterior auricular vein
The posterior auricular vein is a vein of the head. It begins from a plexus with the occipital vein and the superficial temporal vein, descends behind the auricle, and drains into the external jugular vein.
Structure
The posterior auricular v ...
and
occipital vein.
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.
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, 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
*
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.eduDiagram at stchas.edu
{{Authority control
Veins of the head and neck