occipitofrontalis muscle (anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Occipitofrontalis is one of the muscles of scalp. It arises from two distinct parts:
- occipital part; originates from the:
- lateral two-thirds of highest nuchal line of occipital bone
- mastoid part of temporal bone
- frontal part; originates from the superior fibres of the superior facial muscles including:
- procerus
- corrugator supercilii
- orbicularis oculi
Both parts ascend to insert into the galea aponeurotica over the scalp.
Innervation is from the facial nerve (CN VII):
- occipital part from the posterior auricular branch
- frontal part from the temporal branches
The actions of occipitofrontalis are:
- occipital part; weakly moves the scalp skin posteriorly
- frontal part:
- weakly moves the scalp skin anteriorly
- wrinkles the forehead
- elevates the eybrows