From the Research
The superficial temporal artery is the artery on the face that can become prominent and replace part of the facial artery in some individuals. This anatomical variation is important to recognize during facial surgeries, trauma management, and when performing procedures like facial flaps or arterial embolization, as the expected blood supply pattern may differ from the typical anatomical arrangement. The superficial temporal artery (STA) is a terminal branch of the external carotid artery, supplying multiple regions of the scalp and face 1. According to a meta-analysis, the STA diameter was 1.5 mm, and its frontal and parietal branches were present in 97.6% and 96.4% of cases, respectively 2. Understanding these vascular variations helps prevent unexpected bleeding complications during facial procedures. Some key points to consider include:
- The STA bifurcation point was located above the zygomatic arch in 79.1% of cases, below the zygomatic arch in 6.7%, and on the zygomatic arch in 11.1% of cases 2.
- The transverse facial artery, which is found in the lateral face, may also play a role in supplying the parotid gland and duct, facial nerve, facial muscles, and skin 3.
- Variations in the origin of the facial artery, such as a higher origin or origin as a linguo-facial trunk, may also complicate surgery 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study suggests that the superficial temporal artery is the most likely artery to become prominent and replace part of the facial artery in some individuals 2.