Anatomical study of the superficial temporal artery

Fifty consecutive human autopsy specimens were studied to determine the suitability of the superficial temporal artery (STA) for use in microvascular anastomoses. Ten variations of the STA were found. The STA at the zygoma averaged 2.2 mm in outside diameter. The STA averaged 31.7 mm from the zygoma to its bifurcation, where the average outside diameter was 1.9 mm. Eight per cent of the specimens had no bifurcation, and 92% had at least one branch in a frontal or parietal distribution that was greater than or equal to 1 mm. A suitable frontal branch (i.e., greater than or equal to 1 mm in diameter and greater than or equal to 70 mm in length) was found in 90% of the specimens, and a suitable parietal branch was found in 71%. Six specimens (12%) had an additional branch, all of which were of suitable length and diameter. Eight per cent of the specimens lacked a vessel suitable for microvascular anastomosis.