temporal artery

n.

1. An artery with origin in the superficial temporal artery, with distribution to the temporal fascia and muscle, and with anastomoses to the branches of the maxillary artery; middle temporal artery.
2. Either of two arteries with their origin in the maxillary artery, with distribution to the temporal muscle, and with anastomoses to the branches of the temporal, lacrimal, and meningeal arteries; deep temporal artery.
3. An artery with origin in the external carotid artery, with branches to the transverse facial, middle temporal, orbital, parotid, anterior auricular, frontal, and parietal arteries; superficial temporal artery.