Abstract
The anatomy and distribution of the superficial temporal vessels are known to follow regular patterns, with few exceptions in previous studies. But these previous studies of the anatomy and distribution of the superficial temporal vessels were based, only on the cadaver studies. Authors evaluated the anatomy of these vessels in the operative field of the living body from December 1997 to June 2001, The superficial temporal vessels were surgically exposed from the zygomatic arch extending to the superior temporal line through a preauricular incision in 18 patients(20 cases), who underwent reconstructive surgery using these vessels in the operative field. The authors measured and analyzed; the distribution, branching and diameters of the superficial temporal vessels. The results were obtained as follows; 1.In 19 cases, STV(superficial temporal vein) runs posterior to STA(superficial temporal artery) at the upper border of the zygomatic arch. 2. There was no frontal or parietal branches in 2 cases and vena comitante existed along with STA in one case. 3. The external diameter of STA and STV was measured at the lower border of the zygomatic arch. The external diameter of STA ranged from 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm(average 2.1 mm) and those of STV ranged from 1.3 mm to 3.5 mm (average 2.0 mm). This study can be helpful in the reconstructive surgery using the superficial temporal vessels, for the results of our study are based on the true anatomy of the living body.