What structures are located on the lateral face under the temporal region in a typical adult human?

Structures on the Lateral Face Under the Temporal Region

The lateral face under the temporal region contains the zygomatic arch, temporal fat pad, temporalis muscle, and the deep temporal fascia, organized in distinct anatomical layers from superficial to deep. 1

Anatomical Layers from Superficial to Deep

Superficial Layer

• Temporal fat pad sits immediately beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the temporal region 1
• The superficial temporal fascia (temporoparietal fascia) lies immediately deep to hair follicles and is continuous with the SMAS layer of the face below 2
• An avascular plane of loose areolar tissue separates the superficial fascia from deeper structures 2

Intermediate Layer

• The zygomatic arch is a long, slender, laterally protruding bony structure that forms a key landmark in this region 3
• The zygomatic arch has relatively constant thickness across its anterior, middle, and posterior portions 3
• The distance from the internal surface of the zygomatic arch to the temporalis muscle surface is approximately 8mm in the anterior and middle portions 3

Deep Layer

• The deep temporal fascia (temporalis fascia) completely invests the superficial aspect of the temporalis muscle down to the zygomatic arch 2
• This fascia is firmly attached to periosteum around the muscle margins and to the upper border of the zygomatic arch 2
• The deep temporal fascia is supplied solely by the middle temporal artery, which arises 1-3 cm below the upper border of the zygomatic arch 2

Deepest Layer

• The temporalis muscle comprises three distinct parts: superficial, deep, and zygomatic portions that function as one structural unit 4
• The zygomatic part originates from the zygomatic arch and inserts into the superficial temporalis as it attaches to the coronoid process 4
• The temporalis muscle is thickest in the anterior portion and thinnest posteriorly 3

Vascular Supply

• The temporal region receives blood supply from multiple arteries including the superficial temporal, middle temporal, deep temporal, posterior auricular, transverse facial, and zygomatico-orbital arteries 5
• These vessels form four distinct arterial networks corresponding to different anatomical layers 5

Clinical Relevance

• The V3 mandibular nerve provides sensory innervation to both the mandibular and temporal regions 1
• Understanding these layers is critical for facial trauma assessment, particularly for zygoma fractures which are the second most common isolated facial fracture 6, 7
• CT maxillofacial imaging provides optimal visualization of these osseous and soft-tissue structures 6, 7

Important Anatomical Consideration

• Recent surgical evidence challenges the traditional teaching about a "deep layer of the deep temporal fascia" between the superficial temporal fat pad and temporalis muscle—this layer may not exist as a distinct, identifiable structure 8