The term “temple” refers to a specific anatomical region located on the side of the head. This relatively soft and slightly sunken area sits where the forehead ends and the cheekbone begins, acting as a boundary marker for several different structures. While the surface appears unremarkable, the temple protects delicate inner structures of the skull and brain.
Pinpointing the Exact Location
You can easily find your temple by placing your fingers on the side of your head behind and slightly above your eye. The location is defined by its borders, situated superior to the zygomatic arch (the bony arch of your cheekbone) and anterior to the ear. The skin in this area forms a slight depression, which is why the region is also referred to anatomically as the temporal fossa.
For a more precise location, the temple corresponds roughly to an area about two finger-widths above the top of your cheekbone arch. It extends forward to the lateral edge of the eye socket, or orbit. This region also covers the large temporalis muscle, a fan-shaped muscle used for chewing, which you can feel move if you clench your jaw.
The Hidden Structures of the Temple
The seemingly soft depression of the temple conceals a complex and structurally weaker point in the skull known as the Pterion. This specific spot is a junction where four different cranial bones meet in an H-shaped configuration: the frontal bone, the parietal bone, the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, and the squamous part of the temporal bone.
Unlike many other parts of the cranium, the bone surrounding the Pterion is significantly thinner, making it vulnerable. Immediately underneath this delicate bony junction runs a major blood vessel, the anterior division of the Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA). A forceful impact directly to the temple can cause a fracture at the Pterion, even from a relatively minor blow.
If the Pterion fractures, the sharp bone fragments can lacerate the underlying Middle Meningeal Artery. This rupture leads to rapid and severe bleeding between the skull and the dura mater (the outermost layer covering the brain), a condition known as an epidural hematoma. Because the blood accumulates quickly in a confined space, the resulting pressure can compress the brain.
The Origin of the Name
The name “temple” has a distinct linguistic origin separate from the word referring to a place of worship. The anatomical term derives from the Latin word tempus, which means “time” and also referred to this specific region of the head. The connection to “time” is attributed to two main theories.
One theory suggests the naming association comes from the fact that the hair at the temples is often one of the first places to turn gray, marking the passage of time. This visible sign of aging made it a natural symbol for time’s progression.
The second theory links the name to the easy detection of a pulse in the temple area, where the superficial temporal artery is close to the skin. The rhythmic throbbing of the pulse was thought to represent the continuous beat or rhythm of time. Therefore, the term temporal is used both in anatomy to denote structures in this region and in language to relate to time itself.