Muscles of the cranial vault
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The skull of the skull is covered by a single muscular-anoneurotic formation - the supracerebral muscle (m.epicranius), in which the following parts are distinguished:
- an occipitus-frontal muscle;
- a tendon helmet (supracranial aponeurosis);
- temporomandibular muscle.
The occipital-frontal muscle (m.occipitofrontalis) covers the arch along the length of the eyebrows in front and up to the highest line in the back. This muscle has a frontal abdomen (venter frontalis) and an occipital abdomen (venter occipitalis) connected to each other by a wide tendon-aponeurosis, called the tendon helmet (galea aponeurotica, S. Aponeurosis epicranialis), which occupies an intermediate position and covers the parietal region of the head
The occipital abdomen is divided into symmetrical parts by a well expressed fibrous plate occupying the middle position. This abdomen begins with tendon bundles on the highest frontal line and on the base of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, is directed upward and passes into the tendon helmet.
The frontal abdomen is more developed, it is also divided by a fibrous plate passing along the median line into two quadrangular parts that are located on the sides of the median line of the forehead. In contrast to the posterior abdomen, the muscular tufts of the frontal abdomen do not attach to the bones of the skull, but are weaved into the skin of the eyebrows. The frontal abdomen at the level of the border of the scalp (anterior to the coronal suture) also passes into the tendon helmet.
The tendon helmet is a flat fibrous plate that occupies most of the cranial vault. Vertically oriented connective tissue bundles connect the tendon helmet to the skin of the scalp. Between the tendon helmet and the underlying periosteum of the cranial vault is a layer of loose fibrous connective tissue. Therefore, when the occipital-frontal muscle contraction, the scalp, along with the tendon helmet, moves freely above the cranial vault.
The temporomandibular muscle (m.temporoparietalis) is located on the lateral surface of the skull, is weakly developed. Its tufts begin in front on the inner side of the cartilage of the auricle and, fan-likely diverging, attach to the lateral part of the tendon helmet. This muscle in humans is the remains of the ear musculature of mammals. The action of this muscle is not expressed.
Function: the occipital abdomen of the occipitus-frontal muscle pulls the scalp back, creates a support for the frontal abdomen. With the contraction of the frontal abdomen of this muscle, the forehead skin is pulled upward, cross folds appear on the forehead, eyebrows rise. The frontal abdomen of the occipital-frontal muscle is also an antagonist of the muscles, narrowing the eye gap. This abdomen draws the skin of the forehead and along with it the skin of the eyebrows to the top, which simultaneously gives the face an expression of surprise.
Innervation: facial nerve (VII).
Blood supply: occipital, posterior ear, superficial temporal and supraorbital arteries.
The muscles of the proud (m.procerus) begin on the outer surface of the nasal bone, the bundles of it pass upward and terminate in the skin of the forehead; some of them intertwined with bundles of the frontal abdomen.
Function: when the muscles of the pride contract in the root of the nose, transverse grooves and folds are formed. Pulling the skin down, the muscle of the proud as an antagonist of the frontal abdomen of the occipital-frontal muscle promotes the expansion of the transverse folds on the forehead.
Innervation: facial nerve (VII).
Blood supply: angular, anterior latticed arteries.
The muscle wrinkling the eyebrow (m.corrugator supercilii) starts on the medial segment of the superciliary arched, passes upward and laterally, is attached to the skin of the corresponding eyebrow. Part of the beams of this muscle is intertwined with bundles of the circular muscle of the eye.
Function: pulls the forehead skin down and medially, resulting in two vertical folds on the root of the nose.
Innervation: facial nerve (VII).
Blood supply: angular, supraorbital, superficial temporal arteries.
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