20 The superficial temporal artery

20.1 Anatomy

20.1.1 Origin

The superficial temporal artery (Fig. 20.1) is the smaller terminal artery of the external carotid. It arises at the neck of the mandibular condyle and has several named branches.

Fig. 20.1 Superficial temporal artery.

20.1.2 Pathway

The superficial temporal artery passes over the zygomatic tubercle and the external pore, to run up the scalp in the temporal region. At the zygomatic arch it is covered by the parotid gland.

20.1.3 Collaterals

The principal branches of the superficial temporal artery are:

• a transverse artery that courses across the cheek

• an anterior articular branch supplying the temporomandibular joint

• branches for the side of the face and the ear pavilion

• an orbital branch supplying muscles of the eyelids and anastomosing with the superior palpebral artery, arising from the ophthalmic artery (a branch of the internal carotid).

20.1.4 Terminal branches

The terminal branches are the frontal and parietal arteries.

20.1.5 Features

The superficial temporal artery, a branch of the external carotid, anastomoses with the supraorbital artery, a branch of the internal carotid. Here, once again, is an example of the entanglement of these arteries. Moreover, the orbital branch of the superficial temporal artery anastomoses with a branch of the internal carotid artery.

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