The Superficial Temporal Artery

This artery (A. temporalis superficialis) is much the smaller of the two terminal branches of the external carotid. It passes upward behind the posterior border of the ramus of the mandible under cover of the parotid gland, and divides below the level of the condyle into the anterior auricular and transverse facial arteries. It is crossed superficially by the facial nerve.

The anterior auricular artery (A. auricularis anterior) passes upward behind the temporo-mandibular articulation under cover of the parotid gland, crosses the zygomatic arch, and reaches the temporalis muscle. It is crossed deeply at its origin by the superficial temporal nerve and is accompanied by a satellite vein and the auriculo-palpebral branch of the facial nerve. It is distributed to the skin and the temporal and anterior auricular muscles, and sends a branch through the conchal cartilage to the skin which lines it. Collateral twigs are detached to the parotid gland, and an anterior branch anastomoses with the supraorbital artery. A branch sometimes passes into the parieto-temporal canal and anastomoses with the posterior meningeal (mastoid) artery.

The transverse facial artery (A. transversa faciei) is larger than the preceding. It turns around the neck below the condyle of the mandible and emerges from beneath the parotid gland (Fig. ). It then passes forward a short distance on the masseter about half an inch below the zygomatic arch and plunges into the muscle, in which it commonly divides into two chief branches. It is accompanied by a vein and a branch of the superficial temporal nerve. It supplies the masseter and the skin of this region, and anastomoses with the external maxillary and posterior deep temporal arteries.

The pulse may usually be felt in this artery as it passes below the articulation of the jaw.