The temporal fascia covers the
temporalis muscle.
It is a strong, fibrous investment, covered, laterally, by the
auricularis anterior and superior, by the
galea aponeurotica
The epicranial aponeurosis (aponeurosis epicranialis, galea aponeurotica) is an aponeurosis (a tough layer of dense fibrous tissue). It covers the upper part of the skull in humans and many other animals.
Structure
In humans, the epicranial ...
, and by part of the
orbicularis oculi.
The superficial temporal vessels and the
auriculotemporal nerve cross it from below upward.
Superiorly, it is a single layer, attached to the entire extent of the
superior temporal line
The parietal bones () are two bones in the skull which, when joined at a fibrous joint, form the sides and roof of the cranium. In humans, each bone is roughly quadrilateral in form, and has two surfaces, four borders, and four angles. It is named ...
; but inferiorly, where it is fixed to the
zygomatic arch
In anatomy, the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone, is a part of the skull formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone (a bone extending forward from the side of the skull, over the opening of the ear) and the temporal process of the zygo ...
, it consists of two layers, one of which is inserted into the lateral, and the other into the medial border of the arch.
A small quantity of fat, the orbital branch of the
superficial temporal artery
In human anatomy, the superficial temporal artery is a major artery of the head. It arises from the external carotid artery when it splits into the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery.
Its pulse can be felt above the zygomatic a ...
, and a filament from the
zygomatic branch of the
maxillary nerve
In neuroanatomy, the maxillary nerve (V) is one of the three branches or divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth (CN V) cranial nerve. It comprises the principal functions of sensation from the maxilla, nasal cavity, sinuses, the pala ...
, are contained between these two layers.
It affords attachment by its deep surface to the superficial fibers of the temporalis.
The
parotid fascia proceeds to the temporal fascia.
References
Fascial spaces of the head and neck
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