The Deep Temporal Arteries: Anatomical Study with Application to Augmentations Procedures of the Temple

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical features of the deep temporal arteries (DTAs) and thereby provide clinical information for the temple augmentation procedure. Forty-two adult hemifaces from 15 Korean and 6 Thai cadavers (12 males, 9 females; mean age at death, 79.6 years) with no history of trauma or surgical procedure on the temple area were used for anatomical study. A detailed dissection was performed to identify the locations of the anterior and posterior deep temporal arteries (ADTA and PDTA) with reference to the vertical plane passing through the zygomatic tubercle. Fifty-eight healthy Korean participants (31 males and 27 females; mean age, 24.7 years) were included in the ultrasonographic study. The distance from the bone to the DTAs was measured at the level of the zygomatic tubercle (H-Zt) and the eyebrow (H-Eb). The DTAs were not found within 7.2-12.6 mm posterior to the zygomatic tubercle; instead, the locations varied widely at the H-Eb. The distances between the bone and the ADTA were 1.7 +/- 1.2 mm (mean +/- SD) and 1.3 +/- 0.8 mm, and those between the bone and the PDTA were 2.1 +/- 1.2 mm and 2.0 +/- 1.4 mm at H-Zt and H-Eb, respectively. Our findings indicate that at H-Zt, the area 1 cm posterior to the zygomatic tubercle may be a safe area for deep temple augmentation procedures. However, because the distribution patterns of the DTAs at H-Eb and depth of the DTAs are variable, additional care is required to minimize the risks of the procedure.