Posterior deep temporal artery

At a glance

English

Posterior deep temporal artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria temporalis profunda posterior

System

Artery

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the posterior deep temporal artery

The posterior deep temporal artery is one of the two deep temporal arteries, both arising from the second, or pterygoid, part of the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa. The anterior deep temporal artery supplies the front of the temporal region; the posterior vessel serves the back.

From its origin it passes upwards between the lateral pterygoid muscle and the infratemporal surface of the greater wing of the sphenoid, then climbs into the temporal fossa. There it lies between the deep surface of temporalis and the pericranium covering the bone of the temporal fossa, and it runs up with the posterior deep temporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

It supplies the posterior part of temporalis and gives small branches to the overlying bone and pericranium. Within the muscle and on the bone it anastomoses with the anterior deep temporal artery and with the middle temporal artery, a branch of the superficial temporal artery that pierces the temporal fascia to reach the muscle from the outside.

The deep temporal arteries are the main blood supply of temporalis, so they are important when the muscle is used as a flap. A temporalis flap, turned down to fill defects of the palate, orbit or skull base, depends on these vessels entering its deep surface from below. They are also at risk in approaches to the infratemporal fossa and in operations on the temporomandibular joint region.

Course and supply

Arises from

The second, pterygoid, part of the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa.

Ends in

Ends in the posterior part of temporalis and the pericranium of the temporal fossa, anastomosing with neighbouring temporal arteries.

Supplies

Supplies the posterior part of temporalis and the adjacent bone and pericranium.