
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. It plays a significant role in our day-to-day social interactions, as it is necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. The frontalis is a pair of large, fan-like muscles that extend from the eyebrow region to the top of the forehead. When contracted, the vertical fibres of the frontalis pull the skin of the eyebrows upward, creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Name | Frontalis |
| Muscle Type | Fan-like, quadrilateral, thin, vascular, no bony attachments |
| Muscle Location | Forehead, from eyebrows to hairline |
| Function | Raises eyebrows, conveys emotions, creates horizontal forehead wrinkles |
| Antagonist Muscles | Procerus, corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi |
| Clinical Considerations | Injections/fillers can affect muscle function and appearance, knowledge of anatomy is key for safe treatment |
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What You'll Learn
- The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises eyebrows
- The frontalis muscle is composed of two muscle bellies
- Antagonist muscles to the frontalis are the orbicularis oculi, corrugator and procerus muscles
- The frontalis muscle is necessary for conveying emotions
- Injecting neuromodulators into the frontalis weakens its lifting action

The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises eyebrows
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle responsible for raising the eyebrows. It is a pair of large, fan-like muscles that extend from the eyebrow region to the forehead. The frontalis muscle originates from the galea aponeurotica and inserts at the skin of the eyebrows and nose. Its contraction results in horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
The frontalis muscle plays a significant role in our daily social interactions. Its function goes beyond simply keeping the eyebrows out of our field of vision; it is crucial for expressing emotions and non-verbal communication. For example, when we raise our eyebrows in surprise or shock, or when we open our eyes wide, we engage the frontalis muscle.
The frontalis muscle is located at the front of the head and covers parts of the forehead. It is thin and quadrilateral in shape, with longer and paler fibres than the occipitalis muscle. While it may behave as an independent muscle, it is considered part of the larger occipitofrontalis muscle structure, which includes the occipitalis muscle. The occipitalis part of the occipitofrontalis muscle moves the scalp forward, while the frontalis part lifts the eyebrows and moves the anterior scalp backward.
The corrugator and procerus muscles are considered antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle. They contribute to the formation of frown lines and horizontal lines on the forehead, respectively. The balance between these muscles determines the position and shape of the eyebrows.
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The frontalis muscle is composed of two muscle bellies
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. It is located on the front of the head, covering parts of the forehead of the skull. The frontalis muscle is thin and quadrilateral in form, and its fibres are longer and paler in colour. It is broader than the occipitalis muscle. The frontalis muscle is composed of two muscle bellies: the frontalis and the occipitalis. These are attached and encased by dense connective tissue called the epicranial aponeurosis or galea aponeurotica. The occipital part of the occipitofrontalis muscle moves the scalp forwards, while the frontalis part lifts the brows and moves the anterior scalp backward.
The frontalis muscle is involved in day-to-day social interactions and plays a role in conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. It is also responsible for wrinkling the forehead. The frontalis muscle has no bony attachments and is supplied by the facial nerve. It receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
The frontalis muscle is sometimes clinically divided into medial, intermediate, and lateral fibres, although no anatomical or histological distinctions exist. It originates posteriorly from the galea aponeurotica, which corresponds with the hairline on the surface. The muscle interdigitates with fibres of the procerus muscle inferomedially and has attachments to the orbicularis oculi and corrugator muscles inferolaterally. The bulk of the frontalis muscle is located right above the brow.
The frontalis muscle is considered by some sources to be a distinct muscle. However, Terminologia Anatomica currently classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the occipitalis muscle.
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Antagonist muscles to the frontalis are the orbicularis oculi, corrugator and procerus muscles
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. It is responsible for keeping the brows out of one's visual field and plays a significant role in our day-to-day social interactions by conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. The frontalis muscle is located on the front of the head and covers parts of the forehead. It originates from the galea aponeurotica, which corresponds with the hairline.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus muscles. These muscles work in opposition to the frontalis muscle to lower the eyebrows and create facial expressions such as frowning or squinting. The orbicularis oculi muscle is a circular muscle that surrounds the eye and is responsible for closing the eyelids. It also contributes to creating crow's feet wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes when an individual squints or smiles. Injecting neuromodulators into the orbicularis oculi muscle can reduce its ability to pull the eyebrows down, resulting in a subtle brow lift.
The corrugator muscle is located below the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles and originates from the medial orbital rim. When activated, it pulls the eyebrows inward and downward, creating vertical frown lines between the brows. Injecting neuromodulators into the corrugator muscle can soften these frown lines and reduce its downward pull on the eyebrows.
The procerus muscle is a small muscle located at the bridge of the nose, just above the nasal bone. It pulls the skin between the eyebrows down, contributing to horizontal lines at the top of the nose, often referred to as "bunny lines." Injecting neuromodulators into the procerus muscle reduces its downward pull, smoothing out the lines at the root of the nose and softening expressions of anger or frustration.
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The frontalis muscle is necessary for conveying emotions
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle in the forehead that raises the eyebrows. It is situated on the front of the head, covering parts of the forehead of the skull, and is responsible for elevating the eyebrows. The frontalis muscle is necessary for conveying emotions and non-verbal communication. It is thin and quadrilateral in form, and broader than the occipitalis muscle. Its fibres are longer and paler in colour.
The frontalis muscle plays a significant role in our day-to-day social interactions. Its function goes beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's visual field. It is also necessary for non-verbal communication and conveying emotions. For example, when you raise your eyebrows in surprise or open your eyes wide, you are engaging the frontalis muscle.
The frontalis muscle is part of a larger structure referred to as the occipitofrontalis muscle, which also includes the occipitalis muscle. The occipital part of the occipitofrontalis muscle moves the scalp forwards, while the frontalis part lifts the brows and moves the anterior scalp backward. When the frontalis muscle contracts, the vertical fibres pull the skin of the eyebrows upward.
The frontalis muscle is also distributed to wrinkle the forehead. It is one of the muscles involved in facial expression, arising from the second pharyngeal arch, which forms between the 3rd and 8th weeks of development. The frontalis muscle receives its blood supply from the internal and external carotid arteries, specifically the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
The frontalis muscle is also connected to other muscles involved in facial expression, including the orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus muscles. The balance and interplay between these muscles determine the eyebrow position and shape, contributing to our facial expressions and ability to convey emotions.
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Injecting neuromodulators into the frontalis weakens its lifting action
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle in the forehead that lifts the brows. It spans the entire forehead from the eyebrows to the hairline. When you raise your eyebrows in surprise or open your eyes wide, you engage the frontalis. Injecting neuromodulators into the frontalis weakens its ability to lift the brows.
Neuromodulators like Botox, Jeuveau, and Dysport are commonly injected into the forehead to reduce wrinkles and create a more youthful appearance. These neuromodulators work by limiting the contractility of the frontalis muscle, which results in reduced horizontal forehead line formation.
When injecting the frontalis muscle with neuromodulators, it is important to consider the balance between the muscles that lift the brows and those that pull them down. The orbicularis oculi, corrugators, and procerus muscles all contribute to pulling the brows down, creating a "tug-of-war" effect. If the frontalis muscle is relaxed too much without addressing these other muscles, it can result in brow ptosis or droop because the muscle can no longer counterbalance the downward pull.
Therefore, a well-balanced forehead injection involves precise and strategic dosing across all the involved muscle groups. Injecting the corrugator muscle, in particular, requires attention because of its overlap with the frontalis. Injecting too deeply into the corrugator muscle may inadvertently weaken the frontalis, leading to brow heaviness or droop.
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Frequently asked questions
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows.
The frontalis muscle covers parts of the forehead of the skull. It is located on the front of the head, spanning the entire forehead from the eyebrows to the hairline.
The frontalis muscle is responsible for raising the eyebrows and creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead when it contracts. It also plays a significant role in day-to-day social interactions by helping convey emotions and nonverbal communication.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the procerus muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle. These muscles work together to determine the eyebrow position and shape.










































