Dominic Stone
The phrase your body is a temple is a well-known expression used by fitness and health enthusiasts, but is it true that your temple is a muscle? The temple, or pterion, is a meeting point for four skull bones: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid. The temporal muscle covers this area and is used during chewing. This muscle is distinct from the temporalis tendon, which connects the jaw bone to the temporal muscle. Tension in the temporal muscle can cause headaches, and stress is a common trigger for such headaches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Side of the head behind the eye between the forehead and the ear |
| Etymology | Latin "tempus" meaning "time" |
| Bones | Intersection of frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones |
| Muscle | Temporal muscle |
| Blood vessel | Temporal artery |
| Pressure causes | Stress, tense muscles, sinus issues, TMJ, head injury, ear issues, allergies, dental issues, tension headache, migraine, temporal arteritis |
| Pressure treatments | OTC pain relievers, decongestants, antibiotics, steroids, relaxation, posture correction, sleep, exercise, stress management |
| Bible reference | Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians |
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What You'll Learn
Tension headaches
If home treatments do not work, healthcare providers may prescribe medication and other therapies to ease the pain and pressure. It is recommended to consult a doctor if the headache is accompanied by other symptoms, such as repeated vomiting, high fever, or stiff neck, or if there are changes in headache patterns.
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Migraines
The temple, or pterion, is a latch where four skull bones intersect: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid. The temporal muscle covers this area and is used during mastication (chewing).
Temple pain is often linked with stress and headaches. Throbbing pain in the temples, especially on one side of the head, is a common symptom of migraine pain. Migraines can cause pulsing or throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head. They can also cause fatigue, depression, or irritability before the pain starts, and sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines can last a few hours or even days.
Temporal arteritis is another condition that can cause throbbing pain in the temples. It occurs when the temporal arteries on the sides of the head are swollen, reducing blood flow. Temporal arteritis is more common in women than men and usually occurs in people aged 50 or older. Temporal arteritis is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Tension headaches are another common cause of temple pain. They cause dull, non-throbbing pain and can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription drugs. They are often related to stress, fatigue, or poor posture. TMJ disorders, affecting the joint and muscles that control jaw movement, can also cause temple pain.
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Temporal arteritis
The temple, or pterion, is a meeting point for four skull bones: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid. The temporal muscle covers this area and is used during chewing or mastication.
The symptoms of temporal arteritis include headaches, jaw claudication, fever, visual disturbances, and vascular abnormalities. It is prevalent among older individuals, particularly those over 50, and can lead to vision loss if not treated promptly. Tongue pain is a rare but significant indicator of the condition.
The disorder is characterised by the granulomatous nature of GCA, which results in the loss of vascular smooth muscle cells and elastic fibres. This can potentially lead to aneurysm formation and vascular remodelling, with complications such as ischemic complications, aneurysm formation, and vascular remodelling. Treatment for giant cell arteritis includes high-dose systemic glucocorticoids, possibly combined with interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonists.
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TMJ disorders
The temple, or pterion, is the intersection of four skull bones: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid. The temporal muscle covers this area and is used during mastication (chewing).
Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ disorders, are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. TMJ refers specifically to the temporomandibular joint itself, and each person has two of these joints, one on each side of the jaw. TMJ disorders are twice as common in women as in men, especially in women between the ages of 35 and 44. While the exact cause is often unclear, injury to the jaw or TMJ, as well as a combination of genes, psychological and life stressors, and individual pain perception, may contribute to the development of TMJ disorders.
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Concussion or other brain injury
The temple, or pterion, is a point on the human head where four skull bones intersect: the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid. The temporal muscle covers this area and is used for chewing.
Temple pain is often associated with stress or headaches. Tension headaches are a common cause of temple pain, and they are usually triggered by stress, fatigue, or poor posture. They can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, improving posture, and managing stress. However, if the pain is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor.
Temple pain can also be a symptom of a concussion or other brain injury. A concussion is a physical injury that can affect both mental and emotional health. It occurs when a strong force hits the head, neck, or body, causing the brain to shake or twist inside the skull. This force can damage the tiny nerves and blood vessels in the brain, leading to potential bleeding, swelling, and other serious complications. Concussions are common in physically demanding jobs, contact sports, and accidents involving vehicles or bicycles.
In the case of a suspected concussion, it is crucial to seek medical attention. A healthcare provider may perform tests to evaluate problem-solving skills, reflexes, balance, coordination, and other neurological functions. They may also recommend imaging scans, such as a CT scan or MRI, to check for serious complications.
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) refers to a prolonged recovery from a concussion, with symptoms lasting for months or even years. Second-impact syndrome (SIS) occurs when an individual returns to physical activities too soon after a concussion, increasing the risk of severe complications and even fatality. Multiple concussions or head injuries elevate the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which affects how different areas of the brain function and communicate.
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Frequently asked questions
The temple is the area on the side of the head behind the eye between the forehead and the ear.
The temple muscle, or the temporalis muscle, covers the temple area and is used during mastication (the process of chewing).
Temple headaches can be caused by tension headaches, migraines, temporal arteritis, or TMJ disorders. Tension headaches are the most common type and are usually caused by stress or fatigue.
Temple headaches can often be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, relaxation, and stress management techniques.
