[1]: 355  It arises from an anastomosing venous plexus on the side and top of the head.

From this network frontal and parietal branches arise, and join above the zygomatic arch to form the trunk of the vein, which is joined by the middle temporal vein emerging from the temporalis muscle.

It then crosses the posterior root of the zygomatic arch, enters the substance of the parotid gland where it unites with the internal maxillary vein to form the posterior facial vein.

Tributaries of the superficial temporal vein drain venous blood from the temple.

[2] Tributaries of the superficial temporal vein include: This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 645 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)