THE TEMPORAL ARTERY. 403 



the main trunk, while the other branch (the internal maxillary) curves forwards 

 under cover of the jaw. The temporal artery is at first embedded in the substance 

 of the parotid gland, in the interval between the meatus of the ear and the condyle 

 of the lower jaw. Thence it ascends over the posterior root of the zygoma, against 

 which it may readily be compressed. From this point onwards, it lies close beneath 

 the skin, upon the temporal fascia ; and, a variable distance above the zygoma, it 

 divides into two branches, which again subdivide and ramify beneath the integument 

 on the side and upper part of the head. 



Branches. Besides several small offsets to the parotid gland, sqmej)ranche8 to 

 the articulation of the lower jaw, and one or two to the masseter muscle, the tem- 

 poral artery gives off the following branches : 



(a) The transverse facial artery arises while the temporal artery is deeply seated 

 in the parotid gland, beneath the anterior part of which it runs nearly horizontally 

 forwards ; placed above the parotid duct, it rests on the masseter muscle, and is 

 accompanied by the infraorbital branches of the facial nerve. It gives small vessels 

 to the parotid gland, the masseter muscle, and the neighbouring integument, and 

 divides into three or four branches, which are distributed to the side of the face, 

 anastomosing with the buccal, infraorbital and facial arteries. 



(b) The middle temporal artery perforates the temporal fascia close above the 

 zygoma and ascends in a slight groove on the squamous part of the temporal bone, 

 giving branches to the temporal muscle, which communicate with the posterior deep 

 temporal branch of the internal maxillary artery. 



(c) The anterior auricular branches, two or more in number, superior and 

 inferior, are distributed to the fore part of the pinna, the lobule of the ear, and a 

 part of the external meatus, anastomosing with the ramifications of the posterior 

 auricular artery. 



(d) The orbital branch, sometimes arising from the middle temporal, runs 

 forwards above the zygoma, and between the layers of the temporal fascia, to supply 

 the outer part of the orbicularis palpebrarum muscle and the skin. This branch 

 varies much in size, and it is not unfrequently absent. 



(e) The anterior temporal branch is one of the two terminal branches of the 

 temporal artery. This vessel inclines forwards as it ascends over the temporal 

 fascia, and ramifies extensively upon the fore part of the head, supplying the 

 orbicular and frontal muscles, the pericranium, and the skin, and communicating 

 with the supraorbital and frontal branches of the ophthalmic artery, as well as with 

 offsets of the posterior temporal branch. On the upper part of the cranium the 

 branches of this artery are directed from before backwards. 



(/) The posterior temporal branch, which is usually larger than the anterior, 

 ascends on the side of the head, over the temporal fascia ; its branches ramify 

 freely in the coverings of the cranium, both upwards to the vertex, where they 

 communicate with the corresponding vessel of the opposite side, and backwards to 

 join with the occipital and posterior auricular arteries. 



Varieties. The terminal branches of the temporal artery are frequently very tortuous, 

 especially in aged persons. The anterior temporal branch is sometimes larger than the 

 posterior, and, passing backwards over the vertex of the head, communicates with the 

 occipital. The transverse facial artery varies in size ; occasionally it is much larger 

 than usual, and takes the place of a defective facial artery. It is frequently double. In 

 many instances the transverse artery arises directly from the external carotid (fig. 340). The 

 orbital branch is sometimes of considerable size, and extends into the eyelids ; it has been 

 seen to communicate with the supraorbital artery and supply a large part of the forehead 

 (Cruveilhier). 



8. Internal maxillary artery (iii). The internal maxillary or deep facial 

 artery, the largest of the branches of the external carotid, is concealed by the 



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