Quick Facts
Origin: Superior division of the facial nerve.
Course: Runs anteriorly and superiorly, above the zygomatic arch and into the temporal region.
Branches: Anterior and posterior rami.
Supply: Motor innervation to muscles of facial expression located in the upper portion of the face.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The temporal branches of the facial nerve originate when the superior division of the facial nerve splits. This occurs in the substance of the parotid gland.
Course
From its origin, the temporal branches of the facial nerve run anteriorly and superiorly out of the parotid gland. They continue upward, crossing the zygomatic bone and travels into the temporal region.
Branches
The temporal branches of the facial nerve have two portions, an anterior ramus and a posterior ramus.
Supplied Structures
The temporal branches of the facial nerve are motor nerves that innervate the muscles of facial expression around the orbit and ear. It contains branchial motor efferents.
The muscles innervated by the posterior ramus of the temporal branches are the anterior and superior auricular muscles.
The muscles innervated by the anterior ramus of the temporal branches are the frontalis, the corrugator supercilii, procerus, and orbicularis oculi muscles.
