Superficial Temporal Artery
The structure indicated is the
superficial temporal artery.
The superficial temporal artery is a branch of the
external carotid artery. The external carotid artery gives rise to
8 branches:
- Superior thyroid artery
- Ascending pharyngeal artery
- Lingual artery
- Facial artery
- Occipital artery
- Posterior auricular artery
- Maxillary artery
- Superficial temporal artery
The
maxillary artery and the
superficial temporal artery are
terminal branches of the external carotid artery, with the latter being the smaller of the two branches.
The superficial temporal artery is often biopsied when
giant-cell arteritis is suspected. The artery can be easily palpated just anterior to the tragus – feel it yourself!
Learn more about the
branches of the external carotid artery in this anatomy tutorial.
