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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. When the frontalis muscle contracts, the vertical fibres pull the skin of the eyebrows upward, creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle name | Frontalis |
| Part of | Occipitofrontalis muscle group |
| Location | Forehead |
| Function | Raises eyebrows, draws scalp forward, creates horizontal wrinkles on the forehead |
| Antagonists | Orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus muscles |
| Innervation | Temporal nerve |
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What You'll Learn
The frontalis muscle is the only scalp muscle that raises eyebrows
The occipitofrontalis muscle is composed of two muscle bellies: the frontalis and 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 occipital belly contracts, it draws the scalp back. When they work together, they elevate the eyebrows and wrinkle the forehead, making a person look surprised.
The frontalis muscle is clinically divided into medial, intermediate, and lateral fibres, although no anatomical or histological distinctions exist. It generally inserts at the eyebrow dermis and terminates laterally at the temporal ridge, but there may be some variance. The frontalis muscle has no bony attachments.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the orbicularis oculi, corrugator supercilii, and procerus muscles. The corrugator muscle is below the frontalis and the orbicularis muscles and has a bony origin from the medial orbital rim. 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 wide, two-bellied muscle that covers parts of the skull. It is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. The two bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle are the occipital belly and the frontal belly. The occipital belly is situated at the back of the skull, near the occipital bone, while the frontal belly is located on the forehead, near the frontal bone. The occipital belly receives blood from the occipital artery, while the frontal belly receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
The two bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle are connected by the epicranial aponeurosis, which spans the dome of the skull, acting as a helmet or 'galea' to provide facial movement and expressions. The occipital belly overlies the back of the skull, originating from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal lines of the occipital bone. The frontal belly overlies the forehead and has no bony attachments. Its superficial fibres originate from the dermis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows, while deeper fibres arise from the superior parts of the procerus, orbicularis oculi, and corrugator supercilii muscles.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is involved in creating facial expressions and raising the eyebrows. The occipital belly retracts the scalp when its nuchal part is fixed and moves it forwards when the aponeurotic attachment is fixed. The frontal belly lifts the eyebrows and skin of the forehead, producing facial expressions such as surprise or shock. It also aids in frowning by pulling the scalp forward and wrinkling the forehead. The frontal belly is voluntarily contracted when making facial expressions and is responsible for lifting the eyebrows and creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is considered a single muscle by Terminologia Anatomica, which also includes the temporoparietalis muscle as part of the epicranius. However, some sources regard the occipital and frontal bellies as two distinct muscles, highlighting their physiological and anatomical differences in controlling the positions of the eyebrow and hairline.
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The occipital belly is situated at the back of the skull
The occipital belly, also known as the occipitalis muscle, is situated at the back of the skull. It is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, which also includes the frontalis muscle. The occipitofrontalis muscle is composed of two muscle bellies: the occipital belly and the frontalis belly, which are attached and encased by dense connective tissue called the epicranial aponeurosis or galea aponeurotica.
The occipital belly is responsible for moving the scalp backwards, while the frontalis belly lifts the eyebrows and moves the anterior scalp backward. The frontalis muscle contracts, and the vertical fibers pull the skin of the eyebrows upward. The frontalis muscle is located on the forehead and is responsible for creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead.
The occipital belly 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. It inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis, which is a dense connective tissue that connects the occipital and frontalis bellies. The occipital belly is relatively thin and quadrilateral or rectangular in shape.
The occipitofrontalis muscle group plays an important role in human facial expressions by raising the eyebrows and creasing the forehead. It also aids in balancing the head on the vertebral column by pulling back on the skull. The occipital belly is a voluntary muscle, although it is generally easier to contract the frontalis muscle than the occipital belly. Serious injury or nerve damage to the occipitalis muscle may result in decreased movement of the scalp.
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The frontalis belly is located on the forehead
The frontalis muscle, also known as the frontal belly, is located on the forehead. It is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, which is made up of two muscle bellies: the frontalis and the occipitalis. These two parts are connected by the epicranial aponeurosis, or galea aponeurotica, which acts as a helmet to provide facial movement and expressions. The frontalis muscle is responsible for lifting the eyebrows, creating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, and drawing the scalp forward. It is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows and is essential for conveying emotions and non-verbal communication.
The frontalis muscle is thin and quadrilateral in form, adhering to the superficial fascia of the eyebrows and blending with adjacent muscles such as the procerus, corrugator supercilii, and orbicularis oculi. It has no bony attachments and originates from the galea aponeurotica, corresponding with the hairline. The muscle inserts at the eyebrow dermis and terminates laterally at the temporal ridge, with some variance observed in termination points. The frontalis muscle is broader than the occipitalis, and its fibres are longer and paler in colour.
The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve and receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries. It is part of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which continues above the zygomatic arch and includes the temporoparietal fascia. The frontalis muscle is also involved in the creation of wrinkles at the root of the nose, caused by the procerus muscle, and the "elevenses" at the medial end of each brow, caused by the corrugator muscles.
The frontalis muscle is important in facial expressions and plays a role in opposing the orbital portion of the orbicularis muscle, especially when looking up or when the view is too distant or dim. Its function extends beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's visual field. The balance between the frontalis muscle and its antagonist muscles, including the orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus muscles, determines the eyebrow position and shape.
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The frontalis muscle is responsible for facial expressions
The frontalis muscle is made up of vertical striations in a fan-like distribution. It originates from the galea aponeurotica, which corresponds with the hairline. The muscle inserts at the eyebrow dermis and terminates at the temporal ridge. While it is a thin muscle, the bulk of it is located right above the brow. The frontalis muscle is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve.
The frontalis muscle is essential for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. It helps produce a frowning expression and 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 also involved in pulling the scalp anteriorly and wrinkling the forehead.
The face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. These muscles work together to control the different parts of the face, allowing for movements such as smiling, pouting, or raising the eyebrows in surprise. The frontalis muscle is a crucial part of this system, enabling a range of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
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Frequently asked questions
The frontalis muscle, which is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows.
The occipitofrontalis muscle has two bellies: the occipital belly and the frontal belly (or occipitalis and frontalis). These are connected by the epicranial aponeurosis, which acts as a helmet to provide facial movement and expressions.
The frontalis muscle lifts the eyebrows, moves the scalp backward, and causes horizontal wrinkles on the forehead. It is essential for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication.
The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and procerus muscles.
