Lateral Perspective of the Frontal Branch of the Superficial Temporal Artery

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the superficial temporal artery ascends anterior to the auricle after crossing the root of the zygomatic arch, then divides into a frontal branch that runs anterosuperiorly within the temporoparietal fascia toward the forehead. Superficial to the temporal fascia and temporalis muscle, this ramus courses toward the frontal region overlying the frontal bone, traveling in close company with the temporal branches of the facial nerve as they traverse the zygomatic arch. Surrounding landmarks likely include the parotid region inferiorly, the masseter over the mandibular ramus, and the orbicularis oculi and zygomaticus complex anteriorly. Clear surface anatomy. That relationship matters in the operating room and in the emergency bay. The frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery is a common source of brisk scalp bleeding after laceration, and its caliber makes it a frequent target for ligation or cautery during facial and temporal flap work. Surgeons also use the superficial temporal artery as a donor vessel in extracranial to intracranial bypass procedures, and it is the classic site of tenderness and biopsy in suspected giant cell (temporal) arteritis, where sampling the artery just anterior to the ear reduces false negatives while avoiding injury to adjacent nerve branches. Use this artwork in head and neck anatomy teaching to anchor the layered concept of scalp and temporal fascia, or in surgical atlases covering temporal artery biopsy, facelift (rhytidectomy) dissection planes, and management of scalp hemorrhage. It also suits patient education and journal figures where an accurate lateral landmark for the superficial temporal artery and its frontal division improves communication across clinical teams. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.