The temple artery

Superficial temporal artery · arteria temporalis superficialis

An artery just in front of your ear that you can feel pulse at the temple.

What it does

The superficial temporal artery is one of the end branches of the external carotid artery. It runs up just in front of the ear and branches across the temple and scalp.

Surprising fact

In older people, a condition called giant cell arteritis can inflame this artery, causing headache and a tender temple, and it can threaten sight if untreated.