The anterior artery communicates with the lacrimal artery[1] by means of small branches which perforate the zygomatic bone and greater wing of the sphenoid bone.

[1] The deep temporal arteries supply the temporalis muscle.

The deep temporal arteries may be affected by giant cell arteritis.

[2] The deep temporal arteries are found in other animals, including dogs.

[3] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 561 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) ocular group: central retinal