| Deep temporal arteries | |
| Latin: | arteria temporalis profunda anterior, arteria temporalis profunda posterior |
| Branchfrom: | Maxillary artery (2nd part) |
The deep temporal arteries are two arteries of the head. They ascend between the temporalis muscle and the pericranium. They anastomose with the middle temporal artery, among other vessels. They supply the temporalis muscle.
The deep temporal arteries consist of an anterior and a posterior artery. They are branches of the maxillary artery, a terminal branch of the external carotid artery.[1] They ascend between the temporalis muscle and the pericranium.
The deep temporal arteries anastomose with the middle temporal artery.
The anterior artery communicates with the lacrimal artery by means of small branches which perforate the zygomatic bone and greater wing of the sphenoid bone. It may also communicate with the ophthalmic artery, a branch of the internal carotid artery.
The deep temporal arteries supply the temporalis muscle.
The deep temporal arteries may be affected by giant cell arteritis.[2] This may be diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging.
The deep temporal arteries are found in other animals, including dogs.[3]