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The Tortuosity of the Frontal Branch of The Superficial Temporal Artery

The frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery (STA) is usually more tortuous than the parietal branch because of the greater mobility and dynamic activity of the forehead and brow region. 1. High Mobility of the Forehead and Brow The frontal branch supplies the forehead and anterior scalp, an area that moves constantly due to: Read More…

The Tortuosity of the Superficial Temporal Artery Explained

The superficial temporal artery (STA) is characteristically serpiginous (tortuous or wavy) for several functional and anatomical reasons related to the mobility of the scalp and temporalis region. The tortuosity is not random—it provides mechanical and physiological advantages. 1. Accommodation for Skin and Scalp Movement The STA runs within the loose connective tissue layer of the Read More…

Superficial Temporal Artery Ligations and the Frontal Branch of the Facial Nerve

Avoiding injury to the frontal (temporal) branch of the facial nerve is the key safety issue during cosmetic superficial temporal artery (STA) ligation. The protection strategy is primarily anatomic plane control and incision placement. 1. Know the Nerve’s Course The frontal branch travels: From the parotid gland Across the zygomatic arch Toward the lateral brow Read More…

Cosmetic Temporal Artery Ligations in an Older Male Case Example

Temporal artery ligation refers to tying off the superficial temporal artery, the vessel in the temple/scalp region. It is not the treatment for temporal arteritis / giant cell arteritis (GCA) which historically was treated by temporal artery excisional biopsy. Cosmetic temporal artery ligation is a minor surgical procedure used to eliminate visible, pulsatile superficial temporal Read More…

7 Forehead Shapes Seen on CT Scans That Guide Implant Design

In designing custom forehead implants from CT scans I notice that patients fall into a limited number of recurring skull shape patterns. These patterns determine implant thickness distribution, coverage, and edge design. Below are 7 common forehead bone shapes that often drive implant design. 1. Flat Forehead Description Minimal forward projection Straight or slightly sloping Read More…

The 5 Most Common Forehead Implant Requests

Despite the many potential custom forehead implant types that can be designed,patient requests for forehead implants tend to cluster into a few very consistent aesthetic patterns. Most patients fall into five common forehead reshaping goals. 1. Flat Forehead Correction Most common request overall in females Typical patient description “My forehead looks flat.” “My forehead profile Read More…

The Wide Diversity of Custom Forehead Implant Designs and Aesthetic Effects

The forehead occupies one-third of the aesthetic facial units and, because of its broad featureless surface, seems like a very straightforward augmentation area. In reality, however, there are numerous shape changes that can be done for differing aesthetic effectsbased on desired changes to its height, width, projection and shape. Thus forehead augmentation is more complex Read More…

Adult Plagiocephaly Skull Asymmetry Correction Case Example

Custom skull implants are one of the main surgical options used to improve cranial asymmetry in adult plagiocephaly when the skull bones can no longer be reshaped. In adults, the cranial sutures are fused, so correction is typically done by augmenting the skull contour rather than moving bones. Below is a structured overview of how Read More…

Why Vertical Jaw Angle Augmentation Improves the Neck in Custom Jawline Implants

One of the most important but often overlooked design features in custom jawline implants that affects the neck is the vertical augmentation of the jaw angles (sometimes called vertical ramus lengthening). This can significantly influence neck contour and the cervicomental angle. 1. The jaw angle defines the posterior border of the neck The gonial angle Read More…

Custom Jawline Implants and Submental Soft Tissue Repositioning Effects

When I have reviewed post-operative photos and some with CT scans after large custom jawline implants I sometimes notice a repositioning of the submental soft-tissue envelope. This helps explain why some patients report that their neck looks better 6–12 months after surgery than it did initially. This is not just swelling resolution; it reflects long-term Read More…