Anatomic Bases of Superficial Temporal Artery and Temporal Branch of Facial Nerve

Abstract

The superficial temporal artery (STA)-based flaps have been used for different reconstructive purposes. These operations may cause facial nerve injury. The variations of the STA and its relation to temporal branch of the facial nerve (TBFN) were evaluated in this study. Thirteen cadavers with 26 STA and TBFN have been dissected. The bifurcation of STA was found to be 60% above the superior border of the zygomatic arc and 40% below this level. The mean lengths of frontal and temporal branches (FB and TB) of STA were 11.5 and 11.4 cm, respectively. The mean numbers of perforators of FB and TB to deep plane were 1.30 and 1.34, respectively. The mean diameter of STA at the superior border of zygomatic arc was 2.5 mm. The mean diameters of TB and FB at the level of bifurcation were 1.8 mm and 2.0 mm, respectively. The mean number of TBFN at the level of zygomatic arc was 3.70. The mean distance of the first and last branching of TBFN to tragus was found to be 24 mm. The mean number of TBFN at the level of the middle orbita was found to be 2.7. The mean distance of first and last branches of TBFN to the lateral orbital rim was 12 and 24 mm, respectively. The results found in this study may increase the accuracy of flaps based on STA and decrease the risk of facial nerve paralysis during these operations.

Der temporoparietale Faszienlappen zur Rekonstruktion von Weichteildefekten

“…frontalis n. facialis, welche in einem Abstand von 24-42 mm anterior des Tragus nach frontokranial verlaufen. In Höhe der Orbitamitte verlaufen die Äste in einem Abstand von 12-24 mm posterior zum lateralen Orbitarand [29]. Nach Untersuchungen von Agarwall CA et al verlassen die Rr.…”

“…auf Höhe des Jochbogens und verläuft vor diesem zur Fascia temporalis profunda, der Muskelfaszie des M. temporalis [1]. Auf Höhe des Tragus ist die A. temporalis superficialis etwa 16 mm anterior zu diesem und 11,9 mm tiefer zur Haut zu finden [19,29]. Die Bifurkation der A. temporalis superf.…”

“…in ihre Endäste befindet sich in der Mehrheit der Fälle (60-88%) durchschnittlich 23 mm kranial des Arcus zygomaticus. Seltener findet sie sich auf Höhe oder kaudal des Jochbogens [7,8,27,28,29]. Die Länge des parietalen und frontalen Endasts beträgt durchschnittlich 11,4 mm bzw.…”

“…Die Länge des parietalen und frontalen Endasts beträgt durchschnittlich 11,4 mm bzw. 11,5 mm [29]. In seltenen Fällen ist der parietale Ast nicht angelegt oder gar doppelt angelegt.…”

Fusiform enlargement of the superficial temporal artery in the cases with intracranial aneurysm

“…Facial artery, maxillary artery, occipital artery and posterior auricular artery are other arteries as they feed the scalp (6,7). Superficial temporal artery was used as an anastomosis artery with distal branches of the middle cerebral artery during intracranial bypass surgery.…”