Superficial temporal vein

Last revised by Rohit Sharma ◉ on 16 Mar 2018

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Dimitrijevic M, Sharma R, Hacking C, et al. Superficial temporal vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-54543

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-54543

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/54543

rID:

54543

Article created:

17 Jul 2017, Mila Dimitrijevic

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Mila Dimitrijevic had no recorded disclosures.

View Mila Dimitrijevic's current disclosures

Last revised:

16 Mar 2018, Rohit Sharma ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Rohit Sharma had no recorded disclosures.

View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures

Revisions:

5 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Head & Neck, Vascular

Sections:

Anatomy

The superficial temporal vein arises in a plexus on the side and vertex of the skull and, in the substance of the parotid gland, joins with the maxillary vein to form the retromandibular vein.

Gross anatomy

The superficial temporal vein originates from a venous plexus on the side and vertex of the skull which is in communication with the frontal and supraorbital veins, with the superficial temporal vein of the opposite side, and with the posterior auricular and occipital veins ³. Frontal and parietal branches arise from this plexus and unite above the zygomatic arch to form the trunk of the vein ³. The vein is joined by the middle temporal vein and then crosses the posterior root of the zygomatic arch, in front of the auricle and enters the parotid gland to join the maxillary vein in forming the retromandibular vein ^1-3.