Eur J Anat, 10 (3): 157-160 (2006)

Variation of the middle deep temporal nerve: A case report

Madhavi C., Isaac B., Jacob T.M.

Department of Anatomy, Christian Medical College, Vellore - 632 002, India

ABSTRACT During routine dissection of the temporal and infratemporal region of a 60-year-old male cadaver, a variation in the supply of the middle deep temporal nerve was observed. It was seen to arise from the anterior trunk of the mandibular nerve. It passed deep to the tendinous arch on the infratemporal crest to reach the temporal region, where it supplied the temporalis muscle. Then, it pierced the muscle and coursed upward, piercing the temporal fascia and supplying it and the overlying skin. The presence of cutaneous sensory fibres in the middle deep temporal nerve has not been reported earlier. The compression of nerve branches that penetrate muscles has been implicated as a cause of neuralgic pain in the trigeminal region and compression of the middle deep temporal nerve by a spastic or hyperactive temporalis muscle might be a causal factor of pain in the temporal region.

Keywords: adult, anatomical variation, article, cranial nerve, dissection, human, innervation, male, morphology, neuralgia