Why take temperature measurements at the skin surface over the temporal artery?
The best place to measure temperature is the center of the heart, but this can be done only under a doctor’s supervision. Doctors know that measurement of the blood temperature in a major artery accurately reflects true body temperature. The Exergen TAT-2000C Temporal Thermometer is designed to measure the temperature of the skin surface over the temporal artery, a major artery of the head. The temporal artery is connected to the heart via the carotid artery, directly leading from the aorta, the main trunk of the arterial system. The artery offers constant blood flow and is the only such artery positioned close enough to the skin surface to provide access needed to take an accurate measurement. The Temporal Artery is easy to use because it is ideally located at the front portion of the forehead.
