temporal artery

noun

plural temporal arteries

1

or deep temporal artery : either of two arterial branches that supply a large muscle on each side of the head involved in raising the lower jaw and that arise from the cerebral artery supplying the deep structures of the face

2

a

or superficial temporal artery : either of the two terminal branches of each external carotid artery that pass upward over the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, and are distributed by way of branches especially to the more superficial parts of the forehead and sides of the head and face

b

or middle temporal artery : a branch of the superficial temporal artery that arises just above the zygomatic arch, sends branches to one of the large muscles involved in raising the lower jaw, and anastomoses with a deep temporal artery

3

: any of the three branches of the artery supplying the lateral surfaces of the cerebral cortex

Examples of temporal artery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The temporal artery on the side of the head, just above the temple. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 20 June 2025

Forehead thermometers: Also known as temporal artery thermometers, these devices can gather a temperature reading from your forehead. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

The superficial temporal artery starts in front of the ear and travels to the top of the head. —Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2024

The victim suffered an 8-by-6-inch abrasion to her left thigh and a cut on the left side of her head that severed the temporal artery. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

temporal artery

noun

1

: either of two branches of the maxillary artery that supply the temporalis and anastomose with the middle temporal artery

called also deep temporal artery

2

a

: superficial temporal artery

b

: a branch of the superficial temporal artery that arises just above the zygomatic arch, sends branches to the temporalis, and forms anastomoses with the deep temporal artery

called also middle temporal artery

3

: any of three branches of the middle cerebral artery:

a

: one that supplies the anterior parts of the superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyri

called also anterior temporal artery

b

: one that supplies the middle parts of the superior and middle temporal gyri

called also intermediate temporal artery

c

: one that supplies the middle and posterior parts of the superior temporal gyrus and the posterior parts of the middle and inferior temporal gyri

called also posterior temporal artery