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Superficial temporal artery: the "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration as it courses over the zygomatic arch
Mary In-Ping Huang Cobb1, Leo Galvin2, L Fernando Gonzalez3
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Hospitals, 2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. maryih.cobb@duke.edu.
Purpose:
To describe the course and configuration of the superficial temporal artery (STA) around the zygomatic arch.
Methods:
Volume rendered 3D reconstructions of computed tomography angiography of 25 healthy patients were performed and analyzed at Duke University Hospitals.
Results:
The STA coursed over the zygomatic arch or over the condylar process of the mandible in all cases (25/25 pts, 100 %). The STA courses over the posterior zygomatic arch in 23/25 pts (92 %), creating a characteristic "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration as it embraces the arch. When the STA travels posterior to the zygomatic arch, there is no C shape configuration (2/25 pts, 8 %). The STA bifurcates distal to the zygomatic arch in 24/25 pts (96 %).
Conclusions:
The "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration is a useful identifying characteristic of the most common course of the STA-over the posterior zygomatic arch before it bifurcates.
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