Do you feel like a vein is throbbing on the side of your head? Let's talk about the Superficial Temporal Artery!

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and thought about the little pulsations you can feel in your fingertips when you place your hand on the side of your head, just above your ear? It's like you can feel the rhythm of your heart beating there. Some people call this the "temporal artery." It's actually a very important blood vessel, and it does a very amazing job in our body. Today we're going to talk about this small but powerful artery that feeds our face and skull, the Superficial Temporal Artery (STA) .

Simply put, what is the Superficial Temporal Artery (STA)?

This name may sound a bit scientific, but let's break it down and understand it simply.

• Superficial means "on the surface." This means that this artery is located very close to our skin, on the surface. That's why we can feel its pulse in our hands.
• Temporal refers to the side of our head . Specifically, the part above and in front of the ears.
• Artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich, clean blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

So, simply put, the Superficial Temporal Artery is the artery that is located on the side of our head, just below the skin. Do you know where it comes from? It starts from the External Carotid Artery, which is a major artery on either side of our neck. It's like a small tributary that starts from a big river. Just as we have this major artery on the right and left sides of our neck, we also have two Superficial Temporal Arteries on both the right and left sides of our head.

What great service is performed by this small artery?

The main and simplest function of this artery is to supply blood to some parts of our face and skull . That is, the skin and muscles in those areas receive the necessary oxygen and nutrition through this artery.

But there is something even more important. Doctors, especially neurosurgeons, use this artery for very important surgeries. Imagine that a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked. Then the doctors use this Superficial Temporal Artery, just like when a road is blocked, they create a new route (bypass) to send blood to the brain. This is a life-saving surgery.

There are several situations where this type of surgery is necessary:

• Aneurysms (bulging or bulging blood vessels in the brain)
• Reduced blood flow to the main arteries of the brain (Middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery insufficiency)
• Moyamoya disease - This is a condition in which the blood vessels in the brain gradually narrow and become blocked.
• Stroke

In addition, this artery is also used as a conduit for some diagnostic tests, for example, an angiogram , or for some endovascular treatments.

Where exactly is this in our body?

This artery starts inside the Parotid gland , a salivary gland located below and in front of our ears. From there, it travels up between our cheekbones and ears. You can also feel it right now by placing two fingers just in front of your ear, just above your cheekbones, and slowly feeling it. You will feel that pulse.

What branches branch off from this artery?

Just as a main river branches off into smaller branches, the Superficial Temporal Artery branches off into smaller branches, each of which supplies blood to different parts of the head and face.

Is this artery the same for everyone?

No. This is one of the most amazing things about our bodies. Just like our fingerprints, the location of this artery and the way it branches can vary from person to person . Some people have two main branches, or rarely three. And the place where this artery splits into two may be just above the cheekbone for some people, while for others it may be just below it. What's even more amazing is that the artery on the left side of your head may be different from the artery on the right.

What diseases and problems affect this artery?

Like all other arteries, the Superficial Temporal Artery can be subject to certain diseases and damage.

• Aneurysm: A weakening of the wall of an artery, causing it to bulge like a balloon.
• Pseudoaneurysm: A blood clot that forms around the artery due to damage to the artery. This can also be felt in the hand like a knot.
• Temporal Arteritis / Giant Cell Arteritis: This is the most common and serious condition affecting this artery. It causes inflammation of the artery walls. It most commonly occurs in people over the age of 50.
• Complications from facial plastic surgery: This artery can be damaged during surgery.
• Accidents: This artery can be damaged by a car accident, a fall, or a blow to the head/face while playing sports.

What are the symptoms of STA artery damage?

If there is a problem with your Superficial Temporal Artery, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms.

• Severe headache: A new, severe headache, especially on one side of the head.
• Dizziness
• A painful lump in the arm where the artery is located: This may feel like a lump under the skin.
• Joint pain and fatigue
• Tenderness when touching the side of the head or scalp
• Vision problems: Sudden blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision. This is a very serious emergency.
• Bleeding: In the event of an accident, bleeding may occur because this artery is superficial.

How do doctors examine this artery?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you. Then, if necessary, they may do some tests to confirm the condition of this artery.

• Ultrasound Scan: Uses sound waves to examine the flow of blood through the artery and the condition of its walls.
• CT Scan or Angiogram: These can produce very clear images of the arteries.
• Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA): Uses a magnetic field to obtain detailed images of the artery.
• Blood Tests: Some blood tests are done to check for inflammation in the body.
• Biopsy: If temporal arteritis is suspected, the doctor may take a very small piece of tissue from the artery under anesthesia and examine it.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends on your medical condition.

• For an aneurysm: surgically remove or repair it.
• For a pseudoaneurysm: A thrombin injection can be used to thicken the blood clot or minor surgery can be performed.
• For Temporal Arteritis: Steroid medications are given. This controls the inflammation of the artery.
• For damage caused by an accident: Surgical repair of the artery.

How do we keep our Superficial Temporal Artery healthy?

There is no need to take special care of this artery. The same things you do to keep your heart and entire circulatory system healthy are enough to keep this artery healthy as well.

• Eat a balanced diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.
• Exercise regularly: Do simple exercise like walking for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Avoid smoking completely: Smoking is very harmful to the arteries.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Reduce salt intake: Excessive salt intake affects blood pressure.

We forget how hard these small parts of our body that we can't see work. Therefore, following a healthy lifestyle is the biggest help we can give to all these parts. Also, if you feel any unusual changes or pain in your body, don't ignore it and never forget to talk to your doctor.