The surgical anatomy of the deep temporal nerve: a cadaveric study

The aim of this study is to investigate the surgical anatomy of the deep temporal nerve (DTN) and to find (fixed/static) anatomical landmarks which could be used during surgery to localise the DTN branches. Ten hemifaces of Dutch cadavers were dissected at the Department of Anatomy of the Radboudumc. Landmarks and measurements of interest were: number of branches of the DTN; distance from the tragus to the DTN; distance from the cranial and caudal part of the posterior root of the zygomatic bone until the DTN. In this cadaveric study 10 hemifaces were dissected (male, n=6 [60%]; female, n=4 [40%]) with an equal left/right side division. The number of deep temporal branches differed from 2 (30%) to 3 (70%) per side. Mean distance to the tragus varied from 40 to 53mm, with a mean distance of 44.3 ± 4.4mm. Mean distance from the cranial part of the posterior root of the zygomatic bone to the DTN varied from 29 to 35mm, with a mean distance of 31.3 ± 2.1mm. The distance from the caudal part of the posterior root of the zygomatic bone to the DTN varied from 8 to 17mm, with a mean distance of 13.4 ± 3.4mm. This study investigated the surgical anatomy and landmarks used for identification of the deep temporal nerve and its branches. It suggested using firm landmarks for nerve identification, such as the posterior root of the cranial and/or the caudal zygomatic bone.