Dominic Stone
The occipitofrontalis muscle is a long and wide muscle that stretches across the scalp. It consists of two muscular bellies — the occipital belly (occipitalis muscle) and the frontal belly (frontalis muscle). The occipitalis muscle, located at the back of the head, is responsible for pulling the scalp backward. On the other hand, the frontalis muscle, located in the forehead region, raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead. The occipitalis and frontalis muscles work in coordination to enable various movements of the scalp.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle that retracts the scalp | Occipitalis |
| Part of the muscle group | Occipitofrontalis |
| Location | Back of the head, near the occipital bone on the posterior part of the skull |
| Connected to | Frontalis muscle (frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle) |
| Connected by | Epicranial aponeurosis (galea aponeurotica) |
| Innervation | Posterior auricular nerve of the facial nerve (CN VII) |
| Arterial blood supply | Occipital branches of the posterior auricular artery and occipital artery (both are branches of the external carotid artery) |
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What You'll Learn
The occipitalis muscle retracts the scalp
The occipitofrontalis muscle is a long and wide muscle that stretches across the scalp, extending from the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone to the eyebrows. It is also known as the epicranius muscle. The occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle arises from the supreme nuchal line of the occipital bone and may extend to the mastoid region of the temporal bone. The frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle arises from the epicranial aponeurosis, near the coronal suture.
The occipitalis and frontalis muscles work together to coordinate scalp movement. They are connected by a broad tendon known as the epicranial aponeurosis, which serves as an intermediary structure. The epicranial aponeurosis does not contract but allows for subtle scalp movements and facial expressions, making it an essential component of nonverbal communication. It also serves as an attachment point for the muscular bellies.
The occipitalis muscle draws the scalp backward. This action can be observed when a person raises their eyebrows, tilts their head back, or expresses surprise or skepticism. The frontalis muscle, on the other hand, raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead. It is the cranial muscle that draws the front part of the scalp forward.
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The occipitofrontalis muscle is composed of two bellies
The occipitofrontalis muscle is a muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is composed of two bellies: the occipital belly and the frontal belly. The occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle arises from the highest nuchal line of the occipital bone and may extend to the mastoid region of the temporal bone. It inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis, a broad tendon that connects the occipitalis and frontal bellies. The occipital belly is responsible for pulling the scalp backward. This movement can be observed when a person raises their eyebrows or tilts their head back.
The frontal belly, on the other hand, is located near the frontal bone and originates from an intermediate tendon that connects to the occipital belly. It inserts into the skin above the eyes and nose, as well as the fascia of the facial muscles. The frontal belly is responsible for raising the eyebrows and wrinkling the skin of the forehead. This creates various facial expressions in humans.
The two bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle work together to coordinate scalp movement. They are considered physiologically and anatomically different muscles, with the frontal belly being voluntarily contracted during facial expressions and the occipital belly being involuntarily contracted in most Japanese people. The occipital belly is also involved in creating a deep musculoaponeurotic system anchored to the occipital bone, which facilitates the retraction of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system.
The occipitofrontalis muscle receives its blood supply from several arteries, including the supraorbital, supratrochlear, and occipital arteries. It is innervated by the facial nerve, specifically the posterior auricular nerve, and temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII). Damage to the facial nerve can cause issues with the occipitofrontalis muscle.
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The frontal belly raises eyebrows
The frontal belly, also known as the frontalis muscle, is responsible for raising the eyebrows. It is a pair of large, fan-like muscles that extend from the eyebrow region to the top of the forehead. When the frontalis muscle contracts, it lifts the eyebrows and causes horizontal wrinkles on the forehead. This muscle is considered a weak retractor of the upper eyelids, and its contraction can result in a slight elevation of the upper eyelid, approximately 2 mm.
The frontalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, which consists of the frontal belly (frontalis) and the occipital belly (occipitalis). These two bellies work in opposition to each other, allowing for various movements of the scalp. While the frontal belly raises the eyebrows, the occipital belly pulls the scalp backward. This coordinated movement can be observed during expressions of surprise or scepticism.
The frontal belly is a muscle of facial expression and forms part of the epicranial muscle group. It adheres to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows and blends with adjacent muscles such as the procerus, corrugator supercilii, and orbicularis oculi. The frontal belly does not have any bony attachments. Instead, it ascends to join the epicranial aponeurosis, a broad tendon that connects it to the occipital belly.
The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) and receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries. It is broader than the occipitalis muscle, and its fibres are longer and paler in colour. In Western medicine, the frontalis muscle is associated with raising the forehead in emotions such as fright, shock, and surprise.
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The occipital belly is located at the back of the head
The occipital belly, also known as the occipitalis, is a muscle situated at the back of the head. It is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, which is composed of two muscular bellies divided by an epicranial aponeurosis. The occipital belly originates from the occipital bone and may extend to the mastoid region of the temporal bone.
The primary function of the occipital belly is to move the scalp backward. It works in opposition to the frontal belly, which is located at the forehead and is responsible for raising the eyebrows and wrinkling the forehead. The contraction of the occipital belly pulls the scalp backward, facilitating movements involved in expressions of surprise or skepticism.
The occipital belly is a relatively thin, rectangular-shaped muscle. It is considered a voluntary muscle, although people generally have greater control over the frontal belly muscle than the occipital belly. Isolating and controlling the occipital belly can be challenging, but specific exercises can help improve voluntary control over this muscle.
The occipital belly receives its arterial blood supply mainly from the branches of the posterior auricular and occipital arteries. It is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve. Serious injury or nerve damage to the occipital belly may result in decreased movement of the scalp.
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The two bellies are connected by the epicranial aponeurosis
The occipitofrontalis muscle is responsible for moving the scalp. This muscle consists of two parts: the occipital belly and the frontal belly. The occipital belly, located at the back of the head, is responsible for drawing the scalp backward. On the other hand, the frontal belly, situated at the forehead, raises the eyebrows and creates wrinkles in the forehead. These two bellies, or muscular sections, work in tandem to facilitate various scalp movements.
The occipital belly and the frontal belly are connected by a structure called the epicranial aponeurosis, also known as the galea aponeurotica. This connection acts as a broad tendon or a thick fibrous sheath that joins the two bellies together, allowing them to work in coordination. The epicranial aponeurosis forms a continuous sheet that spans the dome of the skull, with the occipital belly inserting into the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone at the back of the skull, and the frontal belly blending with the eyebrows at the front.
The occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle originates from the supreme nuchal line of the occipital bone and may extend to the mastoid region of the temporal bone. It is the posterior muscle that pulls the scalp backward, as observed during expressions of surprise or skepticism. The frontal belly, on the other hand, arises from the epicranial aponeurosis near the coronal suture of the skull and inserts into the skin of the eyebrow and the root of the nose.
The functions of the occipital and frontal bellies are complementary. When the occipital belly retracts the scalp backward, the frontal belly can raise the eyebrows and wrinkle the forehead in response. This coordination between the two bellies allows for dynamic scalp movements and contributes to facial expressions. The movements of the occipitofrontalis muscle are facilitated by its innervation and arterial supply. The facial nerve (CN VII) supplies temporal branches to the frontal belly and the posterior auricular nerve to the occipital belly.
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Frequently asked questions
The occipitalis muscle, located at the back of the head, is responsible for retracting the scalp.
The occipitalis muscle is a part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, forming its occipital belly.
The occipitofrontalis muscle stretches across the scalp and is involved in moving the scalp and facial expressions.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is composed of two muscular bellies: the occipital belly (occipitalis muscle) and the frontal belly (frontalis muscle).
The occipitalis and frontalis muscles work in opposition to facilitate various movements of the scalp and facial expressions. While the frontalis muscle raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead, the occipitalis muscle retracts the scalp.
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