Logan Steele
The occipitalis muscle, also known as the occipital belly, is a muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is thin and quadrilateral in shape and arises from tendinous fibres from the occipital bone. The occipitalis muscle is considered distinct by some sources, but Terminologia Anatomica classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the frontalis muscle. The occipitofrontalis muscle is a wide, two-bellied muscle that spans the dome of the skull. The occipital belly retracts the scalp and moves it forwards or backwards, depending on which attachment is fixed. The muscle is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve and receives blood from the occipital artery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Occipitalis muscle |
| Other names | Occipital belly, occipitalis (head), occipitofrontalis muscle |
| Description | A thin, quadrilateral muscle that covers parts of the skull |
| Function | Moves the scalp back |
| Blood supply | Occipital artery |
| Innervation | Posterior auricular nerve (a branch of the facial nerve) |
| Attachments | Arises from tendinous fibers from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone and from the mastoid process of the temporal bone |
| Insertion | Inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis |
| Associated muscles | Frontalis muscle, annular muscle, temporoparietal fascia, zygomatic arch, frontal belly |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The occipitalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
- It covers parts of the skull and is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve
- The occipital belly receives blood from the occipital artery
- It is a voluntary muscle that moves the scalp backwards
- The occipitalis muscle works in conjunction with the frontalis muscle
The occipitalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
The occipitalis muscle, also known as the occipital belly, is indeed a muscle that is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle. It covers parts of the skull and is thin and quadrilateral in form. The occipitalis muscle is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve, and receives blood from the occipital artery. Its function is to move the scalp back.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is a wide, two-bellied muscle that spans the dome of the skull. It consists of the occipital belly, which is located at the back of the skull, and the frontalis muscle at the front. The occipital belly originates from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal lines of the occipital bone and inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis posteriorly to the lambdoid suture. The frontalis muscle, on the other hand, is connected to the occipitalis muscle via the galea aponeurotica or epicranium.
The occipitofrontalis muscle has several functions depending on which of its attachments is fixed. When its aponeurotic attachment is fixed, the frontal belly elevates the eyebrows and skin of the forehead, producing facial expressions of shock or surprise. This movement also helps move the entire scalp backward when it occurs simultaneously with contractions of the occipital belly. Conversely, when the forehead attachment is fixed, the frontal belly aids other muscles in frowning by pulling the scalp forwards and wrinkling the forehead.
The occipitalis muscle is considered a voluntary muscle, although people generally have greater control over the frontalis muscle. Isolating and controlling the occipitalis muscle can be achieved through specific exercises, such as raising the eyebrows and pulling back on the ears simultaneously.
Lumbricals: Understanding Their Intrinsic Muscles and Functionality
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It covers parts of the skull and is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve
The occipitalis muscle, also known as the occipital belly, is a thin and quadrilateral muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is considered by some sources to be a distinct muscle, while Terminologia Anatomica classifies it as a part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the frontalis muscle. The occipital belly is located at the back of the skull and is responsible for retracting the scalp. It works in conjunction with the frontalis muscle to affect muscle movement in the forehead.
The occipitalis muscle arises from tendinous fibres from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. Its fibres then insert into the epicranial aponeurosis, which is located posteriorly to the lambdoid suture. The occipital belly is found deep within the subcutaneous tissue of the scalp and lies superficially to the skull's periosteum.
The occipitalis muscle is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, which is a branch of the facial nerve. The facial nerve exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen and then passes through the parotid gland. It divides into several branches, with the posterior auricular nerve supplying the occipital belly.
The occipitalis muscle receives blood from the occipital artery, specifically the occipital branch of the posterior auricular artery and the descending branch of the occipital artery. These arteries, in turn, are branches of the external carotid artery, which supplies blood to the occipitalis muscle and its associated structures.
In summary, the occipitalis muscle covers parts of the skull and is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve. It works in conjunction with other muscles to facilitate movements of the scalp and forehead, receiving its blood supply from the occipital artery and its branches.
Muscles' Surprising Role: Carrying Carbon Dioxide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The occipital belly receives blood from the occipital artery
The occipitalis muscle, or occipital belly, is a thin and quadrilateral muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve, and its function is to move the scalp back, helping to create facial expressions and retracting the scalp. This muscle is responsible for moving the scalp, elevating the eyebrow, and wrinkling the forehead skin.
The occipital artery follows a specific path to reach the occipital belly. It first arises from the external carotid artery, passing through the hypoglossal nerve and continuing in a posterior superomedial direction. It then moves parallel and deep to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. As it traverses the carotid triangle, it passes anterior to the internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and several nerves. After crossing the lateral margin of the rectus capitis lateralis muscle, it reaches the skull, piercing the deep cervical fascia and supplying blood to the occipital belly along its path.
The occipital artery plays a crucial role in vascularizing the occipital belly, ensuring a sufficient blood supply to this region. This intricate network of blood vessels and muscles allows for the proper functioning of the occipital belly, facilitating movements such as retracting the scalp and creating facial expressions.
Muscles: The Unlikely Endocrine Organ?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is a voluntary muscle that moves the scalp backwards
The occipitalis muscle, also known as the occipital belly, is a thin and quadrilateral muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is technically a voluntary muscle, and its function is to move the scalp backwards.
The occipitalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, which also includes the frontalis muscle. The occipitofrontalis is a wide, two-bellied muscle that spans the dome of the skull. The occipital belly is located at the back of the skull, originating from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal lines of the occipital bone. Its muscle fibres insert into the epicranial aponeurosis posteriorly to the lambdoid suture.
The occipitalis muscle works in conjunction with the frontalis muscle to affect muscle movement in the forehead. When the occipitalis muscle contracts, it can cause tension, headaches, and pain in the occipital and cervical areas of the head and neck. The occipital belly receives blood from the occipital artery and is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve.
To isolate the occipitalis muscle, stand in front of a mirror and raise your eyebrows as high as you can. This action contracts the frontalis muscle and also recruits the occipitalis. Then, with your eyebrows fully raised, try to pull back on your ears. With practice, you will be able to learn to isolate and control the occipitalis muscle, moving the scalp towards the posterior of the skull.
Exploring Muscle Man's Transformation: Is He Transgender?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The occipitalis muscle works in conjunction with the frontalis muscle
The occipitalis muscle is indeed a muscle, classified as a skeletal muscle of the face. It is thin and quadrilateral in form and covers parts of the skull, specifically the back of the skull. The occipitalis muscle is connected to the frontalis muscle by the epicranial aponeurosis (also known as the galea aponeurotica) to form the occipitofrontalis muscle. The occipitofrontalis muscle is a wide, two-bellied muscle that spans the dome of the skull. It consists of the occipital belly (the occipitalis muscle) and the frontal belly (the frontalis muscle).
The occipital belly overlies the back of the skull and originates from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone. The occipital belly receives blood from the occipital branch of the posterior auricular and descending branch of the occipital artery. It is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve. When the nuchal part of the occipital belly is fixed, it retracts the scalp, moving it backwards.
The frontal belly overlies the forehead and has no bony attachments. Its fibres originate from the dermis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows, as well as from the superior parts of procerus, orbicularis oculi and corrugator supercilii muscles. The frontal belly receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries, as well as the ophthalmic artery and frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery. It is innervated by the facial nerve, with temporal branches supplied by the facial nerve. When the forehead attachment of the frontal belly is fixed, it pulls the scalp forwards, wrinkling the forehead and aiding in frowning. When its aponeurotic attachment is fixed, it elevates the eyebrows and skin of the forehead, producing a facial expression of shock or surprise.
The occipitalis and frontalis muscles work together to affect muscle movement in the forehead. When the occipital belly retracts the scalp backwards, the frontal belly can then pull the scalp forwards, allowing movement of the scalp both backwards and forwards. This movement helps to create facial expressions.
The Truth About Popeye Muscle: Temporary or Permanent?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The occipitalis muscle, also known as the occipital belly, is a muscle that covers the back of the skull. It is thin and quadrilateral in shape. It works in conjunction with the frontalis muscle to move the scalp and forehead.
The occipitalis muscle retracts the scalp, moving it towards the back of the skull. It also works with the frontalis muscle to affect muscle movement in the forehead.
To isolate the occipitalis muscle, stand in front of a mirror and raise your eyebrows as high as you can. This contracts the frontalis muscle and also recruits occipitalis. Now, with your eyebrows fully raised, try to pull back on your ears.
