Superficial temporal artery
- Superficial temporal artery
Infobox Artery
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = arteria temporalis superficialis
GraySubject = 144
GrayPage = 559
Caption = Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. (Superficial temporal a. visible at center, to left of ear.)
Caption2 = Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
BranchFrom = External carotid artery
BranchTo = Transverse facial artery
Middle temporal artery
Anterior auricular branch
frontal branch
parietal branch
Vein = superficial temporal vein
Supplies = temple, scalp
MeshName =
MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = a_61
DorlandsSuf = 12156279
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.
Course
The superficial temporal artery, the smaller of the two terminal branches of the external carotid, appears, from its direction, to be the continuation of that vessel.
It begins in the substance of the parotid gland, behind the neck of the mandible, and crosses 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.
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.
Clinical relevance
The superficial temporal artery is often affected in temporal arteritis and biopsied if the diagnosis is suspected.
=Additional
External links
*
*
* (NormanAnatomyFig|parotid4, NormanAnatomyFig|infratempfossaart)
* [http://bubbasoft.org/carotid_collaterals/superficial_temp_ica.htm Angiogram of the superficial temporal artery]
* [http://www.stchas.edu/divisions/aao/ace/science/modelpics/circulatory/head.shtml Diagram at stchas.edu]
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-2.HTM
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2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
superficial temporal artery — n the one of the two terminal branches of each external carotid artery that arises in the substance of the parotid gland, passes upward over the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, and is distributed by way of branches esp. to the more… … Medical dictionary
superficial temporal artery — noun : the one of the two terminal branches of each external carotid artery that arises behind the parotid gland and passes upward between the mandibular condyle and the auditory meatus to the zygoma … Useful english dictionary
Parietal branch of superficial temporal artery — Infobox Artery Name = PAGENAME Latin = ramus parietalis arteriae temporalis superficialis GraySubject = 144 GrayPage = 559 Caption = The arteries of the face and scalp. (Parietal branch visible at upper left, above ear.) Caption2 = BranchFrom =… … Wikipedia
Frontal branch of superficial temporal artery — Infobox Artery Name = PAGENAME Latin = ramus frontalis arteriae temporalis superficialis GraySubject = 144 GrayPage = 559 Caption = The arteries of the face and scalp. (Frontal branch labeled at upper right.) Caption2 = BranchFrom = superficial… … Wikipedia
Anterior auricular branches of superficial temporal artery — Infobox Artery Name = PAGENAME Latin = rami auriculares anteriores arteriae temporalis superficialis GraySubject = 144 GrayPage = 559 Caption = The arteries of the face and scalp. (Anterior auricular visible but not labeled.) Caption2 =… … Wikipedia
temporal artery — n 1) either of two branches of the maxillary artery that supply the temporalis and anastomose with the middle temporal artery called also deep temporal artery 2 a) SUPERFICIAL TEMPORAL ARTERY b) a branch of the superficial temporal artery that… … Medical dictionary
temporal artery — noun any of the three arteries on either side of the brain supplying the cortex of the temporal lobe • Hypernyms: ↑cerebral artery, ↑arteria cerebri • Hyponyms: ↑anterior temporal artery, ↑arteria temporalis anterior, ↑intermediate temporal… … Useful english dictionary
Superficial temporal vein — Infobox Vein Name = PAGENAME Latin = venae temporales superficiales GraySubject = 167 GrayPage = 645 Caption = Veins of the head and neck. ( Sup. Temp. labeled at center, anterior to the ear.) Caption2 = Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view.… … Wikipedia
Middle temporal artery — Artery: Middle temporal artery The arteries of the face and scalp. (Middle temporal visible near center.) … Wikipedia
Temporal fascia — Infobox Anatomy Name = PAGENAME Latin = fascia temporalis GraySubject = 109 GrayPage = 386 Caption = The Temporalis; the zygomatic arch and Masseter have been removed. Caption2 = Muscles of the head, face, and neck. (Temporal fascia labeled at… … Wikipedia
