The superficial temporal artery is the superficial terminal branch of the external carotid artery. Primarily it supplies the upper and lateral parts of the scalp.

This artery arises from the external carotid artery behind the neck of the mandible. It passes upwards near the auricle and anterior to it and crosses over the posterior root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. Here, the superficial temporal artery is palpable. Above the zygomatic process at the level of the supraorbital margin, the superficial temporal artery divides into two branches, the frontal and parietal branches.

The frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery supplies the forehead area and can form anastomoses with the ophthalmic artery.
The parietal branch supplies the temporal and parietal regions, and it also may form anastomoses with the posterior auricular artery and the occipital artery.

The superficial temporal artery gives off the following side branches that supply the external ear, parotid gland, lateral surface of the face and the temporal muscle:

Transverse facial artery
Anterior auricular branches
Middle temporal artery

Clinical note: the superficial temporal artery is frequently involved in a pathology called giant-cell arteritis (or temporal arteritis) - a form of a systemic inflammatory vasculitis. The temporal arteritis damages blood vessels resulting in subsequent distal ischemia. Clinical symptoms include headache, visual disturbances, neck pain, scalp tenderness.

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Superficial temporal artery