Corpus: Superficial temporal artery
1. Definition
The superficial temporal artery is one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery.
2. Course
The superficial temporal artery is slightly smaller than the maxillary artery, the other terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It originates in the tissue of the parotid gland behind the neck of the mandible, initially continuing the direction of the external carotid artery.
The artery then crosses the posterior part of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. It is covered by the auricularis anterior muscle and dense layers of fascia, and is accompanied by the auriculotemporal nerve. Facial branches also cross the artery. Further cranially, the superficial temporal artery splits into a frontal branch and a parietal branch.
The vessel anastomoses with the supraorbital artery and other arteries in the head region.
3. Branches
The superficial temporal artery gives off smaller branches to the parotid gland, the temporomandibular joint, and the masseter muscle. Other larger branches include:
- Transverse facial artery
- Anterior auricular branches
- Middle temporal artery
- Zygomaticoorbital artery (inconstant)
- Parotid branches: to the parotid gland
- Frontal branch: to the forehead
- Parietal branch: to the parietal region
The zygomaticoorbital branch is inconstant and sometimes originates from the middle temporal artery. It extends into the eye region, supplying the orbicularis oculi muscle and the eyelids with arterial blood.
4. Clinic
The pulse of the superficial temporal artery ("temporal pulse") can be felt above the zygomatic arch, slightly anterosuperior to the tragus.
In giant cell arteritis, the superficial temporal artery may be palpable as a thickened cord in the temporal region and may be painful on palpation. A temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is performed to detect the disease.
In neurosurgery, the superficial temporal artery and its branches are used for revascularization in various hypoperfusion syndromes, such as atherosclerotic occlusions, Moyamoya disease, or complex middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms.
5. Literature
- Aumüller et al, Duale Reihe Anatomie: Mit Online-Zugang (5th updated edition), Thieme, 2020