What is temporal arteritis?

Temporal afteritis: Is a vasculitis -- that is inflammation of a blood vessel. It is an autoimmune disease -- the immune system attacking ones own body. The temporal part refers to the dominant vessel involved -- on the temple (in front of and just above the ear.

Artery inflammation: Also known as "giant cell arteritis" is an auto-immune disease characterized by inflammation of the vessels of the head and neck. Its cause is unknown. It is more common in women and usually is seen in the elderly. Definitive diagnosis requires removal of a portion of the superficial temporal artery and examination under a microscope looking for "giant cells" that are damaging the arteries.