Quick Facts
Origin: Maxillary artery.
Course: Ascends between the temporalis muscle and the epicranium.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Temporalis muscle.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The posterior deep temporal artery arises from the maxillary artery as it passes between the ramus of the mandible and the lateral pterygoid muscle.
Course
The posterior deep temporal artery ascends above the level of the zygomatic arch, under the cover of the tendon of the temporalis muscle. The artery then travels between the temporalis muscle and the pericranium, thus producing grooves within the bone.
Branches
There are no named branches, however, the posterior deep temporal artery anastomoses with the middle temporal branch of the superficial temporal artery.
Supplied Structures
The posterior deep temporal artery supplies the posterior portion of the temporalis muscle.
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Artery
When the artery is occluded blood is forced through the collateral vessels, drastically increasing fluid shear stress and triggering an inflammatory response which drives vessel remodeling.
