The deep temporal arteries consist of an anterior and a posterior artery. They are branches of the
maxillary artery, a terminal branch of the
external carotid artery. They ascend between the
temporalis muscle and the
pericranium.
Connections The deep temporal arteries
anastomose with the
middle temporal artery. The anterior artery communicates with the
lacrimal artery by means of small branches which perforate the
zygomatic bone and
greater wing of the
sphenoid bone. It may also communicate with the ophthalmic artery, a branch of the
internal carotid artery. == Function ==