Superficial temporal artery
| Artery: Superficial temporal artery | |
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| Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. (Superficial temporal a. visible at center, to left of ear.) | |
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| Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries. | |
| Latin | arteria temporalis superficialis |
| Gray's | subject #144 559 |
| Supplies | temple, scalp |
| Source | External carotid artery |
| Branches | Transverse facial artery Middle temporal artery Anterior auricular branch frontal branch parietal branch |
| Vein | superficial temporal vein |
In human anatomy, the superficial temporal artery is a major artery of the head. It arises from the external carotid artery when it bifurcates into the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery.
Its pulse is palpable superior to the zygomatic arch, anterior and superior to the tragus.
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[edit] Course
The superficial temporal artery is the smaller of two terminal branches that bifurcate superiorly from the external carotid. Based on its direction, the superficial temporal artery appears to be a continuation of the external carotid.
It begins in the substance of the parotid gland, behind the neck of the mandible, and passes superficially over the posterior root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone; about 5 cm. above this process it divides into two branches, a frontal and a parietal.
[edit] 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 and one or two veins, and is accompanied by the auriculotemporal nerve, which lies immediately behind it.
The superficial temporal artery anastomoses with (among others) the supraorbital artery of the internal carotid artery.
[edit] Clinical relevance
The superficial temporal artery is often affected in temporal arteritis and biopsied if the diagnosis is suspected.
Migraine attacks occur when the temporal artery enlarges.
[edit] Additional images
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The arteries of the face and scalp.
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Plan of branches of internal maxillary artery.
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Plan of branches of internal maxillary artery.
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Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view.
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Lateral head anatomy detail
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Head anatomy anterior view
[edit] References
- This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
[edit] External links
- Superficial+temporal+artery at eMedicine Dictionary
- Anatomy at MUN head/cbv
- lesson4 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (parotid4, infratempfossaart)
- Angiogram of the superficial temporal artery
- Diagram at stchas.edu
- http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-2.HTM
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