Temporal region
Regio temporalis
Definition
The temporal region of the skull (a.k.a. the temple) is defined as the area on the lateral aspect of the head, bounded superiorly and posteriorly by the temporal lines, anteriorly by the lateral margin of the orbit, and inferiorly by the zygomatic arch. This region overlies the temporal fossa, which is formed primarily by the squamous part of the temporal bone, the greater wing of the sphenoid, and portions of the frontal and parietal bones. The temple is notable for the presence of the pterion, where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones converge.
The temporal region is related anteriorly and superiorly to the frontal region, superiorly to the parietal region, and posteriorly and inferiorly to the occipital and mastoid regions.
References
O'Brien JX, Ashton MW, Rozen WM, Ross R, Mendelson BC. New perspectives on the surgical anatomy and nomenclature of the temporal region: literature review and dissection study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Mar;131(3):510-522.
