Temporal Artery How To Use

The temporal artery is a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the scalp and face. It can be used for various medical purposes, including:

Blood pressure measurement: The temporal artery can be used to measure blood pressure non-invasively. This method is particularly useful for monitoring blood pressure in children and infants, as it is less invasive and painful than traditional upper arm blood pressure measurement.

Temporal artery biopsy: A temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is a procedure in which a small piece of the temporal artery is removed for examination under a microscope. TAB is commonly performed to diagnose certain medical conditions, such as giant cell arteritis, an inflammatory condition that affects the arteries of the head and neck.

Arterial blood sampling: Arterial blood sampling involves taking a sample of blood from an artery, typically the temporal artery, for laboratory testing. This procedure is performed to measure various blood values, such as blood gases, electrolyte levels, and oxygen saturation.

Transarterial embolization: In medical procedures like embolization, the temporal artery can serve as an access point for introducing therapeutic materials. Interventional radiologists may insert catheters into the temporal artery and navigate them to the targeted area to deliver embolic agents such as gelfoam, coils, or glue to block or repair abnormal blood vessels.

When accessing the temporal artery, certain precautions are necessary. As it is located superficially and has a delicate structure, special care is needed to avoid damaging the vessel during procedures or blood draws. An experienced healthcare professional should perform any interventions involving the temporal artery.