_a_, Remnants of periorbita; _b_, levator palpebræ superioris; _c_,
obliquus oculi inferior; _d_, rectus oculi inferior; _e_, rectus
oculi externus; _f_, rectus oculi superior; _g_, sclera; _g′_,
cornea; _h_, lacrimal gland; _i_, frontal nerve; _k_, frontal
artery; _l_, branch of lacrimal nerve to gland; _m_, lacrimal
artery; _n_, zygomatic nerve; _o_, branch of ophthalmic artery; _p_,
branch of oculomotor nerve to obliquus oculi inferior; _q_,
maxillary nerve; _r_, infraorbital nerve; _s_, posterior nasal
nerve; _t_, great palatine nerve; _u_, small palatine nerve; _v_,
internal maxillary artery; _w_, buccinator artery (cut); _x_,
infraorbital artery; _x′_, malar artery; _y_, sphenopalatine artery;
_z_, great palatine artery; _z′_, small palatine (or staphyline)
artery; _1_, posterior deep temporal artery; _2_, _3_, stumps of
orbital margin; _4_, facial crest; _5_, temporal fossa; _6_, foramen
lacerum orbitale; _7_, anterior end of alar canal; _8_, posterior
opening of same. (After Ellenberger, in Leisering’s Atlas.)
]
4. The =middle meningeal artery= (A. meningea media) arises beneath the
buccinator nerve where the internal maxillary turns forward. It passes
backward across the temporal wing of the sphenoid to the antero-external
part (foramen spinosum) of the foramen lacerum. Entering the cranium, it
divides into branches which course in the grooves on the temporal and
parietal bones and supply the dura mater. It anastomoses with the
posterior meningeal.
The size of this artery is variable, and is in inverse ratio to that
of the posterior meningeal.
5. The =posterior deep temporal artery= (A. temporalis profunda
aboralis) arises from the internal maxillary just before the latter
enters the canal of the pterygoid process. It passes upward and backward
in the temporal fossa on the deep face of the temporalis muscle, in
which it ramifies. It sends a branch outward to the masseter, and
anastomoses with the superficial temporal and middle meningeal arteries.
In some cases the tympanic and middle meningeal arise from this
artery.
The =second part= lies in the alar canal and is about an inch (ca. 2 to
3 cm.) in length. It gives off two branches—the anterior deep temporal
and the ophthalmic.
1. The =anterior deep temporal artery= (A. temporalis profunda oralis)
emerges from the canal through the temporal or small alar foramen, and
passes upward in the anterior part of the temporal fossa on the deep
face of the temporalis muscle, in which it is chiefly distributed. It
gives twigs to the orbital fat and the skin of the frontal region.
[Illustration: