nerve supply and arterial blood supply of the scalp

the scalp and temporal region are supplied by how many nerves?

they are each supplied by ten nerves, with five on each side, five anterior to the auricle and five posterior to the auricle.

what are the branches of the five nerves anterior to the auricle?

they include four sensory nerves, which are branches of the trigeminal nerve, and one motor nerve, which is a branch of the facial nerve.

what are the branches of the five nerves posterior to the auricle?

they include four sensory nerves, which are branches of the second and third cervical nerves, and one motor nerve, which is a branch of the facial nerve

what are the nerves of the scalp?

1. supratrochlear nerve

2. supraorbital nerve

3. zygomatic-temporal nerve

4. auriculotemporal nerve

5. temporal branches of the facial nerve

6. greater auricular nerve

7. lesser occipital nerve

8. greater occipital nerve

9. third occipital nerve

10. posterior auricular nerve

what are the five nerves anterior to the auricle?

four sensory nerves, which are branches of the trigeminal nerve

1. supratrochlear nerve

2. supraorbital nerve

3. zygomatictemporal nerve

4. auriculotemporal nerve

one motor nerve, which is a branch of the facial nerve

5. temporal branch of the facial nerve

supratrochlear nerve

a sensory nerve located anterior to the auricle. it arises from the frontal nerve within the orbit. it emerges at the supraorbital margin, running upwards and backwards over the forehead. it gives sensory branches / twigs to the medial part of the upper eyelid, the forehead and the anterior part of the scalp

supraorbital nerve

a sensory nerve located anterior to the auricle. it arises from the frontal nerve within the orbit and emerges through the supraorbital notch or foramen. It divides into two branches that ascend upwards and backwards, supplying sensory branches to the upper eyelid, as well as to the skin of the forehead and scalp extending as far back as the lambdoid suture.

zygomaticotemporal nerve

a sensory nerve located anterior to the auricle. it branches from the zygomatic nerve within the orbit. and passes through the zygomaticotemporal canal. it then ascends between the bone and temporalis muscle before piercing the temporal fascia superior to the zygomatic arch to supply the skin of the anterior part of the temple

auriculotemporal nerve

a sensory nerve located anterior to the auricle. it is a branch of the posterior division of the mandibular nerve. it emerges through the upper end of the parotid gland, just in front of the auricle and opposite the root of the zygoma. it then ascends into the temporal region and the scalp, providing sensory innervation to these areas.

temporal branches of the facial nerve

a motor nerve located anterior to the auricle. it emerges from the upper part of the parotid gland and opposite the zygomatic arch, and run upwards and forwards. these branches supply:

• frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle

• upper part of the orbicularis oculi

• auricularis anterior and superior

what are the five nerves posterior to the auricle?

four sensory nerves, which are branches of the second and third cervical nerves

1. greater auricular nerve

2. lesser occipital nerve

3. greater occipital nerve

4. third occipital nerve

one motor nerve, which is a branch of the facial nerve

5. posterior auricular nerve

greater auricular nerve

a sensory nerve located posterior to the auricle. it arises from the ventral rami of the second and third cervical nerves, and provides sensory branches to the lower part of the auricle and the posterior aspect of the auricle

lesser occipital nerve

a sensory nerve located posterior to the auricle. it arises from the ventral ramus of the second cervical nerve, and it supplies sensory branches to the upper part of the posterior aspect of the auricle

greater occipital nerve

a sensory nerve located posterior to the auricle. it arises from the dorsal ramus of the second cervical nerve and pierces the trapezius muscle. it supplies the majority of the back of the scalp, extending all the way up to the vertex

third occipital nerve

a sensory nerve located posterior to the auricle. it arises from the dorsal ramus of the third cervical nerve. and provides sensory branches to the scalp over the external occipital protuberance

posterior auricular nerve

a motor nerve located posterior to the auricle. it arises from the facial nerve, running upwards and backwards close to the root of the auricle, supplying motor branches to:

• occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle

• auricularis posterior and superior

how many arteries supply the scalp and temples?

5 arteries on each side, with 3 anterior to the auricle and 2 posterior to the auricle

what are the two terminal branches of the ophthalmic artery?

the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries

supratrochlear artery

one of two terminal branches of the ophthalmic artery. it leaves the orbit near the supraorbital margin and ascends on the forehead, running alongside the supratrochlear nerve to supply the forehead and the anterior part of the scalp.

supraorbital artery

one of two terminal branches of ophthalmic artery. it leaves the orbit through the supraorbital notch or foramen and ascends on the forehead, running alongside the supraorbital nerve to supply the forehead and the anterior part of the scalp.

superficial temporal artery

the smaller of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery and emerges through the upper end of the parotid gland with the auriculotemporal nerve. it ascends upwards and crosses the root of the zygoma in front of the auricle, where its pulsation can be felt

what are the branches of the superficial temporal artery?

1. transverse facial artery

2. anterior auricular artery

3. zygomaticoorbital artery

4. middle temporal artery

5. anterior terminal (frontal) artery

6. posterior terminal (parietal) artery

transverse facial artery

runs forwards in the face, just below the zygomatic arch and above the parotid duct. it is accompanied by the branch of the facial nerve. along its course, it supplies blood to the parotid gland, masseter muscle and the skin of the face

posterior auricular artery

it is a branch of the external carotid artery that arises just above the groove between the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the stylohyoid muscle. it ascends deep to the parotid gland and passes between the auricle and mastoid process, where it divides into its terminal branches

what are the branches of the posterior auricular artery?

1. stylomastoid artery

2. auricular branch

3. occipital branch

occipital artery

a branch of the external carotid artery that arises its posterior aspect opposite the facial artery. it runs backwards and upwards, passing deep to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. it then travels between the mastoid process and the transverse process of the atlas (C1) to reach the apex of the posterior triangle, where it pierces the trapezius muscle

what are the branches of the occipital artery?

1. sternomastoid branch

2. mastoid branch

3. auricular branch

4. muscular branches

5. meningeal branches

6. occipital branches