Applied anatomy of skin flap pedicled with superdicial temporal artery frontal branch

Objective:To provide anatomical data of the skin flap pedicled with superficial temporal artery frontal branch for repairing orbital defects. Methods: The courses, branches, and distributions of superficial temporal arteries were observed and measured on 32 cranial sides cadavers perfused with red emulsion. Results: The superficial temporal artery originated from external carotid artery, rose across the parotid gland and was divided into 2 branches: parietal branch and frontal branch at the upside of zygoma. Frontal branch was divided into 2 branches: front-orbital branch and front-parietal branch. All above branches were all about 1mm in external diameter and had enough length to free. Conclusion: It is feasible to design a skin flap pedicled with superficial temporal artery frontal branch to repair orbital defects.