Temple

Temple refers to the lateral sides of the head, located behind the eyes and anterior to the ear. The temple is a critical region of the human body as it houses several important structures, including the temporal bone of the skull, the temporal lobe of the brain, and the temporal artery, which supplies blood to the brain.

Anatomy

The temple region is primarily composed of the temporal bone of the skull. This bone is one of the two major bones that form the side and base of the skull, the other being the sphenoid bone. The temporal bone is divided into several parts, including the squamous, tympanic, and petrous parts.

The temporal lobe of the brain, located within the skull's temporal bone, is one of the four major lobes of the cerebral cortex. It plays a crucial role in processing sensory input and assigning it emotional meaning, as well as storing long-term memories.

The temporal artery, also known as the superficial temporal artery, is a major artery of the head. It branches off from the external carotid artery and supplies blood to the scalp and face.

Clinical significance

Due to the temple's proximity to vital structures, injuries or diseases affecting this area can have serious consequences. For example, temporal arteritis, an inflammation of the temporal artery, can lead to severe headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, and even vision loss.

Temporal lobe epilepsy, a form of epilepsy that originates in the temporal lobe, can cause a variety of symptoms, including complex partial seizures, auditory or visual hallucinations, and memory disturbances.

See also

• Human skull
• Temporal bone
• Temporal lobe
• Temporal artery
• Temporal arteritis
• Temporal lobe epilepsy

Temple Resources
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