Frontal Branch of the Superficial Temporal Artery

Description

Arising from the superficial temporal artery just anterior to the auricle, the frontal branch (ramus frontalis) ascends in the temporal scalp and courses anterosuperiorly toward the lateral forehead, where it breaks into smaller arterioles over the frontalis. Its path typically runs superficial to the temporalis fascia and deep to the subcutaneous tissue and skin, crossing the zygomatic arch region before curving toward the superolateral orbital margin. Nearby, the parietal branch tracks more posteriorly, while the transverse facial artery may be seen running forward across the masseter inferior to the zygomatic arch. Lateral facial musculature, including orbicularis oculi, zygomaticus major, masseter, buccinator, and the sternocleidomastoid, provides clear positional landmarks around the vessel. Topographic understanding of the frontal branch matters because it is commonly encountered and injured in temporal and forehead procedures, including rhytidectomy (facelift) dissection planes, temporal artery biopsy, and repair of scalp lacerations where brisk hemorrhage can obscure the field. The artery’s superficial course also explains why it can be palpated in some patients and why it participates in extracranial-intracranial collateral flow in select vascular occlusive states. A key teaching point is its relationship to nearby branches of the facial nerve in the temple, where superficial dissection risks neuropraxia. Plastic surgery and dermatologic surgery texts often need a clean rendering of the superficial temporal artery and its frontal branch when discussing incision placement, flap design, and safe injection zones for fillers in the temporal region. Anatomy courses covering the external carotid system and clinical head and neck modules can pair this view with lessons on scalp vascularity, facial nerve branches, and hemostasis in the temporal fossa. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.