The temporal fascia (or deep temporal fascia) is a

fascia A fascia (; : fasciae or fascias; adjective fascial; ) is a generic term for macroscopic membranous bodily structures. Fasciae are classified as superficial, visceral or deep, and further designated according to their anatomical location. ...

of the head that covers the

temporalis muscle In anatomy, the temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a broad, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic a ...

and structures situated superior to the

zygomatic arch In anatomy, the zygomatic arch (colloquially known as the cheek bone), is a part of the skull formed by the zygomatic process of temporal bone, zygomatic process of the temporal bone (a bone extending forward from the side of the skull, over the ...

. The fascia is attached superiorly at the superior temporal line; inferiorly, it splits into two layers at the superior border of the

. The superficial layer then attaches to the lateral aspect of the superior border of the arch, and the deep layer to its medial aspect. The space between the two layers is occupied by

adipose tissue Adipose tissue (also known as body fat or simply fat) is a loose connective tissue composed mostly of adipocytes. It also contains the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of cells including preadipocytes, fibroblasts, Blood vessel, vascular endothel ...

and contains a 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 ar ...

, and the

zygomaticotemporal nerve The zygomaticotemporal nerve (zygomaticotemporal branch, temporal branch) is a cutaneous ( sensory) nerve of the head. It is a branch of the zygomatic nerve (itself a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)). It arises in the orbit and exits the o ...

Anatomy

The temporal fascia is a strong fibrous investment.

Structure

Superiorly, it is a single layer, attached to the entire extent of the superior temporal line. Inferiorly, where it is fixed to the

, 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

, 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 Sense, sensation from the maxilla, nasal cavity, Sinus (anatomy ...

, are contained between the two layers created by the inferior split of the fascia.

Attachments

The superficial fibers of the

attach onto the deep surface of the temporal fascia.

Relations

Superficial to the temporal fascia are the auricularis anterior muscle and superior auricular muscle, the galea aponeurotica and (part of) the

orbicularis oculi muscle The orbicularis oculi is a Sphincter, sphincter-like muscle in the face that closes the eyelids. It arises from the nasal part of the frontal bone, from the frontal process of the maxilla in front of the lacrimal groove, and from the anterior surf ...

. The superficial temporal vessels and the

auriculotemporal nerve The auriculotemporal nerve is a sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to parts of the external ear, scalp, and temporomandibular joint. The nerve a ...

cross it inferoposteriorly. The parotid fascia proceeds to the temporal fascia.

References

Fascial spaces of the head and neck {{anatomy-stub

Anatomy

Structure

Contents

Attachments

Relations

References