Male Temple, Lateral View

Description

Seen from the lateral aspect of the adult male head, the temple (regio temporalis) spans between the superior border of the zygomatic arch inferiorly and the temporal lines superiorly, with the pterion positioned anterosuperiorly where the frontal, parietal, squamous temporal, and greater wing of the sphenoid converge. The temporalis muscle occupies the temporal fossa and descends deep to the zygomatic arch toward the coronoid process of the mandible, while the superficial temporal fascia forms a lateral covering superficial to the muscle. Anterior to the auricle, the superficial temporal artery and vein course superiorly in the scalp, and the zygomatic arch defines the transition from temporal region to infratemporal structures deep to it. Palpating the zygomatic arch and temporal line is routine during craniofacial trauma assessment, and this lateral view clarifies why the pterion is treated as a high-risk landmark in head injury. A blow over the pterion can fracture the thin squamous temporal bone and lacerate the anterior division of the middle meningeal artery deep to it, producing an epidural hematoma with a classic lucid interval. Surgeons also use this corridor for frontotemporal (pterional) craniotomy planning, where the relationship between temporalis and the zygomatic arch drives incision placement and muscle handling to reduce postoperative atrophy and jaw pain. A critical landmark. Use this artwork for neuroanatomy and head and neck anatomy teaching, emergency medicine and neurosurgery lectures on temporal bone trauma, and publisher figures discussing the pterion, temporalis, and superficial temporal vessels in lateral head surface anatomy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.