
The frontalis muscle is the scalp muscle responsible for raising the eyebrows. It is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, which is made up of two components: the occipital belly, situated at the back of the skull, and the frontalis belly, located on the forehead. The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows, and it is essential for both keeping the brows out of one's visual field and expressing emotions and nonverbal communication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Frontalis muscle |
| Part of | Occipitofrontalis muscle group |
| Location | Forehead, front of the head |
| Function | Raises eyebrows, draws scalp forward, causes wrinkles across the forehead |
| Antagonists | Procerus muscle, corrugator supercilii muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle |
| Shape | Thin, quadrilateral, fan-like distribution |
| Blood supply | Supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries |
| Nerve supply | Facial nerve |
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What You'll Learn

The frontalis muscle is the only one that raises eyebrows
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. It is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, which is connected by the epicranial aponeurosis. The occipitofrontalis muscle has two components: the occipital belly, situated at the back of the skull, and the frontalis belly, located on the forehead.
The frontalis muscle is responsible for lifting the eyebrows and creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead. This distinguishes it from other muscles like the temporalis, masseter, and orbicularis oculi, which serve different functions. The frontalis muscle is necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. For example, when it works together with the occipital belly, they elevate the eyebrows and wrinkle the forehead, making a person look surprised.
The frontalis muscle is located on the front of the head and covers parts of the forehead of the skull. It is thin and quadrilateral in shape, and its fibres are longer and paler in colour. The muscle has no bony attachments and is supplied by the facial nerve, receiving blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the procerus muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle. These muscles all have cutaneous insertions and meet at the glabella and the orbital rim, where their movements and forces can cause cutaneous rhytids (frown lines, smile lines, forehead lines, and horizontal nasal lines). The balance between these muscles determines the eyebrow position and shape.
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The occipitofrontalis muscle has two bellies
The occipitofrontalis muscle, also known as the epicranius muscle, is a muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows, and its function goes beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's visual field; it is also necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. The occipitofrontalis muscle has two bellies or parts: the occipital belly and the frontal belly, also known as the frontalis muscle. The occipital belly is situated at the back of the skull, near the occipital bone, while the frontal belly overlies the forehead and is located near the frontal bone. The occipital belly originates on the lateral two-thirds of the highest nuchal line and on the mastoid process of the temporal bone. It inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis, which acts as a helmet or 'galea' to provide facial movement and expressions. The frontal belly, on the other hand, originates from an intermediate tendon that connects to the occipital belly and inserts into the fascia of the facial muscles and the skin above the eyes and nose.
The two bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle are connected and encased by dense connective tissue called the epicranial aponeurosis or galea aponeurotica. The occipital part of the muscle moves the scalp forward, while the frontal part lifts the brows and moves the anterior scalp backward. The frontal belly receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries, while the occipital belly receives blood from the occipital artery. The occipitofrontalis muscle as a whole is supplied by the supraorbital artery, the supratrochlear artery, and the occipital artery. It is innervated by the facial nerve, which can cause atoney of the muscle if damaged.
The frontal belly, or frontalis muscle, plays a significant role in our day-to-day social interactions. It is responsible for lifting the eyebrows and creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, which distinguishes it from other muscles such as the temporalis, masseter, and orbicularis oculi. The frontalis muscle is made up of vertical striations in a fan-like distribution and generally inserts at the eyebrow dermis, with the bulk of it located right above the brow. It is thinnest laterally, which is the first area to sag as we age. The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the procerus muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle. These muscles all have cutaneous insertions and confluence at the glabella and the orbital rim, where their movements and forces extended to the skin can cause cutaneous rhytids (frown lines, smile lines, forehead lines, horizontal nasal lines). The balance between these muscles determines the eyebrow position and shape.
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The frontalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows, and its function goes beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's field of vision. It is also necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. The frontalis muscle is located on the front of the head, and while it may seem to behave as an independent muscle, it is actually part of a larger structure referred to as the occipitofrontalis muscle or epicranius.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is composed of two muscle bellies: the frontalis and the occipitalis, which 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, and 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 superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) continues above the zygomatic arch and includes the temporoparietal fascia (as it blends into the galea) and the frontalis muscle as part of the SMAS.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus muscles. The frontalis muscle has no bony attachments. The corrugator muscle is below the frontalis and the orbicularis muscles and has a bony origin from the medial orbital rim. The frontalis, corrugator, procerus, and orbicularis muscles all have cutaneous insertions and meet at the glabella, and the orbital rim, where their respective movements and forces extended to the skin may cause cutaneous rhytids (frown lines, smile lines, forehead lines, horizontal nasal lines). The balance between these muscles determines the eyebrow position and shape.
The occipitofrontalis muscle receives blood from several arteries. The frontal belly receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries, while the occipital belly receives blood from the occipital artery. The occipitofrontalis muscle is innervated by the facial nerve. In humans, the occipitofrontalis helps to create facial expressions.
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The frontalis muscle is necessary for non-verbal communication
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. Its function goes beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's visual field; it is also necessary for conveying emotions and non-verbal communication. The frontalis muscle is located on the front of the head and is part of a larger structure referred to as the occipitofrontalis muscle or epicranius. The occipitofrontalis is composed of two muscle bellies: the frontalis and the occipitalis, which 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 forward, while the frontalis part lifts the brows and moves the anterior scalp backward.
The frontalis muscle plays a significant role in our day-to-day social interactions. It is responsible for lifting the eyebrows and creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, which can convey emotions such as surprise or confusion. The movement of the frontalis muscle can also change the position and shape of the eyebrows, which can further convey non-verbal cues. For example, raised eyebrows can indicate surprise, curiosity, or friendliness, while lowered eyebrows can indicate anger, confusion, or skepticism.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the procerus muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle. These muscles all have cutaneous insertions and meet at the glabella and the orbital rim. The balance between these muscles helps to determine the eyebrow position and shape, which can then influence non-verbal communication. For example, if the frontalis muscle is relaxed, the eyebrows may appear lowered, indicating confusion or skepticism. However, if the corrugator supercilii muscle is contracted, it can cause the eyebrows to draw together, indicating anger or concentration.
The frontalis muscle has no bony attachments and receives its blood supply from branches of both the internal and external carotid arteries. Clinically, the muscle is sometimes divided into medial, intermediate, and lateral fibers, although no anatomical or histological distinctions exist. The frontalis muscle is also involved in certain medical procedures, such as frontalis-orbicularis muscle advancement and frontalis sling or suspension, which are used to correct ptosis, or eyelid drooping.
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Botox near the eyebrow is injected into the frontalis muscle
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. It is also responsible for drawing the scalp forward and causing horizontal wrinkles on the forehead. The frontalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, which is connected by the epicranial aponeurosis. The occipital part of the occipitofrontalis muscle moves the scalp forward, while the frontalis part lifts the brows and moves the scalp backward.
Botox injections near the eyebrow are used to relax and smooth out wrinkles and creases in the skin. When injected into the frontalis muscle, Botox can help to reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles and prevent the formation of new ones. It does this by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the presynaptic nerve terminal, which inhibits neurotransmission and muscle contraction.
The dosage and injection technique for Botox brow lifts may vary depending on the patient's facial anatomy, muscle strength, and desired outcomes. It is important to understand the boundaries within the tissue and know the appropriate dosage to achieve the desired aesthetic result. The frontalis muscle is typically divided into medial, intermediate, and lateral fibres, with injections targeting specific areas to achieve the desired brow shape and position.
Botox injections in the frontalis muscle can also be used to treat conditions such as hemiparesis, where it can help improve eyebrow symmetry. It can also be used to treat synkinesis or hyperkinesis, reducing unwanted facial spasms, tightness, and asymmetry. However, it is important to note that Botox injections near the eyebrow and the frontalis muscle should be approached with caution, as over-treating or under-treating can result in undesirable eyebrow positions and asymmetries.
Additionally, there are gender differences to consider when injecting Botox into the frontalis muscle. Male foreheads tend to be larger with stronger muscles, and the lateral aspect of the frontalis muscle may extend higher up towards the scalp or into the hairline. This anatomical variation should be taken into account to avoid under-treating the area and the potential formation of extra lines or 'horns'.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscle of the scalp that raises the eyebrows is the frontalis muscle.
The frontalis muscle is a muscle that covers parts of the forehead of the skull. It is supplied by the facial nerve and receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. Its function goes beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's visual field; it is also necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the procerus muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle.
The frontalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, which makes up the scalp with a frontal belly and an occipital belly.











































