Anatomical division of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and its clinical significance

Objective:To investigate the anatomic basis for the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and discuss its clinical significant in orienting the distribution of the temporal branch of facial nerve in rhytidectomy. Methods:The distributions of the frontal branch of the superior temporal artery were observed on 30 halves of the fifteen candaveric specimens (ten antiseptic cadaveric specimens and five fresh cadavers). Results: The temporal branch was located at the point of(0.7±0.3)cm anteroinferior to the frontal branch of the superficial artery in the same tissue plane, the rami temporales innervating the superior part of the oricularis oculi, the frontal muscle and the corrugator. In 17 specimmens, (56. 7%) temporal branch and its terminal branches running inferior to the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery in its deep surface of superficial fascia; in 13 specimens(43.3%), the 1 - 2 terminal branches of the temporal branch may run across the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery in its deep surface of superficial fascia. Conclusion: The distribution of the temporal branch lies within the triangle composed of the lower aspect of the zygomatic arch, the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery, the sagittal line crossing the frontal process of the frontal bone. The frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery provides an important anatomic landmark in identifing and protecting the temporal branch during the dissection in rhytidectomy.