
The frontalis muscle is a muscle of facial expression located in the forehead, and it controls the movement of the eyebrows. It is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII). The frontalis muscle has been investigated for its clinical importance and its afferent innervation, with studies suggesting the presence of numerous muscle spindles. The muscle is also significant in facial aesthetics and pathology related to soft tissue defects and motor control imbalances.
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What You'll Learn
- The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve
- It is supplied by the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries
- The frontalis muscle is involved in facial expressions, such as raising the eyebrows
- It has no bony attachments but adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows
- The muscle has clinical significance in facial aesthetics and pathology

The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve
The frontalis muscle is a muscle of facial expression located at the scalp. It is thin, quadrilateral in form, and broader than the occipitalis muscle. Its fibres are longer and paler in colour. The frontalis muscle covers parts of the forehead of the skull and adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows. It is also known as the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle.
The frontalis muscle controls the movement of the eyebrows, helping to produce a frowning expression. Its primary function is to lift the eyebrows, especially when looking up, and it also acts when a view is too distant or dim. The muscle is involved in pulling the scalp anteriorly, wrinkling the forehead, and raising the eyebrows.
The medial margins of the frontalis muscles are joined together for some distance above the root of the nose. The muscle has no bony attachments and is broader than the occipitalis. Its medial fibres are continuous with those of the procerus, and its lateral fibres are blended with the orbicularis oculi muscle, attaching it to the skin of the eyebrows.
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It is supplied by the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries
The frontalis muscle is a muscle of facial expression located at the scalp. It controls the movement of the eyebrows and helps to produce a frowning expression. It is thin and quadrilateral in form, and broader than the occipitalis muscle. Its fibres are longer and paler in colour.
The frontalis muscle is supplied by the facial nerve and receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries. The supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries supply blood to the frontalis muscle medially, while the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery supplies blood laterally.
The frontalis muscle has no bony attachments. Instead, it adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows and blends with adjacent muscles, including the procerus, corrugator, and orbicularis oculi muscles. Its medial fibres are continuous with those of the procerus muscle, while its lateral fibres blend with the orbicularis oculi muscle.
The functions of the frontalis muscle include pulling the scalp anteriorly, wrinkling the forehead, and elevating the eyebrows. It opposes the orbital portion of the orbicularis muscle, especially when looking up, and also acts when a view is too distant or dim.
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The frontalis muscle is involved in facial expressions, such as raising the eyebrows
The frontalis muscle is a muscle of facial expression located at the scalp. It is thin, quadrilateral in form, and adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows. The frontalis muscle is involved in facial expressions, such as raising the eyebrows. It controls the movement of the eyebrows and helps produce expressions such as a frown. The frontalis muscle is also responsible for wrinkling the forehead and pulling the scalp anteriorly.
The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII). It receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries. The medial fibres of the frontalis muscle are continuous with those of the procerus muscle, while its intermediate fibres blend with the corrugator and orbicularis oculi muscles, attaching to the skin of the eyebrows.
The frontalis muscle is considered by some sources to be a distinct muscle, while Terminologia Anatomica classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the occipitalis muscle. The functions of the frontalis muscle are limited to facial expressions in humans, and it has no bony attachments.
The frontalis muscle has clinical significance in facial aesthetics and pathology related to soft tissue defects and imbalances of motor control. It is also used in reconstruction, such as frontalis myofascial flaps for cranialization of the frontal sinus.
The morphology of the frontalis muscle has been studied using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry, revealing the presence of collagen XXII, a marker for myotendinous junctions, at both insertion sides of the muscle fibres. The absence of corpuscular afferent neuronal structures within the muscle has been confirmed.
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It has no bony attachments but adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows
The frontalis muscle is a muscle of facial expression, located at the scalp. It is thin and quadrilateral in form, and its primary function is to lift the eyebrows, particularly when looking up, and to wrinkle the forehead. The muscle is supplied by the facial nerve and receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
The frontalis muscle has no bony attachments but adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows. It is broader than the occipitalis muscle, and its fibres are longer and paler in colour. The muscle is located on the front of the head, and its medial fibres are continuous with those of the procerus muscle. Its intermediate fibres blend with the corrugator and orbicularis oculi muscles, attaching it to the skin of the eyebrows. The lateral fibres are also blended with the orbicularis oculi muscle.
The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve. It has been investigated using light microscopy, revealing the presence of collagen XXII, a marker for myotendinous junctions, at both insertion sides. However, no tendons were present at the origin side. The neuromuscular junctions were observed in the middle part of the muscle belly and possibly in the cranial part toward the galea aponeurotica.
The frontalis muscle has clinical significance in facial aesthetics and pathology related to defects of soft tissue and imbalances of motor control. It is also used in reconstruction, such as in frontalis myofascial flaps for cranialisation of the frontal sinus. Due to its distinct morphology, the frontalis muscle has gained importance in ptosis surgery and wrinkle-straightening with botulinum toxin.
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The muscle has clinical significance in facial aesthetics and pathology
The frontalis muscle is situated on the forehead, spanning from the galea aponeurotica, a fibrous tissue on top of the skull, down to the skin above the eyebrows. It is thin, quadrilateral in form, and broader than the occipitalis muscle. The frontalis muscle is the only muscle in humans that serves facial expressions. It raises the eyebrows, creating forehead wrinkles, and contributing to expressions of surprise, curiosity, and concern.
The frontalis muscle has clinical significance in facial aesthetics. Maintaining the health and function of the frontalis muscle through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and preventive care can enhance overall facial aesthetics and improve quality of life. Specific exercises, often referred to as facial exercises or "face yoga," are designed to target the frontalis muscle. These exercises involve engaging the muscle in repetitive movements, such as repeatedly raising the eyebrows or making exaggerated surprised expressions, to strengthen and tone the muscle and maintain muscle tone. While some believe these exercises can reduce wrinkles and improve facial appearance, the effectiveness of these exercises remains a topic of debate among experts.
Botox injections can also be used to target the frontalis muscle for aesthetic improvements. By temporarily paralyzing the frontalis muscle, Botox smooths out the forehead and minimizes the appearance of lines. These procedures are typically quick and have minimal downtime, making them attractive options for individuals seeking aesthetic improvements.
The frontalis muscle also has clinical significance in facial pathology. Therapeutic applications of interventions targeting the frontalis muscle include the treatment of medical conditions such as blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid twitching) or hemifacial spasm. Botox injections can provide relief from these conditions by relaxing the overactive muscles, thereby reducing discomfort and social embarrassment. In addition, physical therapy can benefit the frontalis muscle in patients recovering from facial injuries or surgeries. Targeted exercises and manual therapies can help restore muscle function and strength.
Furthermore, the frontalis muscle is used in reconstruction procedures. For example, frontalis myofascial flaps can be utilized for the cranialization of the frontal sinus.
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Frequently asked questions
The frontalis muscle is a muscle of facial expression located at the scalp. It controls the movement of the eyebrows and helps to produce a frowning expression.
The frontalis muscle covers parts of the forehead of the skull. It adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows and blends with adjacent muscles.
The frontalis muscle wrinkles the forehead and raises the eyebrows. It also pulls the scalp anteriorly.
The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII).
The frontalis muscle receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.









































