Frontalis
Facial Expression · Head & Neck
The frontalis is the anterior belly of the occipitofrontalis, a muscle of facial expression over the forehead. Unlike most muscles it has no bony attachment at its lower end; it arises from the epicranial aponeurosis (the galea aponeurotica) above and inserts into the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows and glabella below. Its contraction elevates the eyebrows and throws the forehead into transverse wrinkles, producing expressions of surprise or attention, and it draws the scalp anteriorly. It is supplied by the temporal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Epicranial aponeurosis (galea aponeurotica)
Insertion
Skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows and glabella
Action
Elevates the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead (transverse creases); draws the scalp anteriorly
Nerve
Temporal branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
Attachments explained
The Frontalis is defined first by where it attaches. Its origin is the more fixed anchor, usually the proximal or more stable end that stays put during contraction, while its insertion is the more mobile point that is pulled toward the origin when the muscle shortens.
Origin
Epicranial aponeurosis (galea aponeurotica)
Insertion
Skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows and glabella
Action & function
When the Frontalis contracts, it produces the following movements: Elevates the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead (transverse creases); draws the scalp anteriorly.
As part of the Facial Expression group of the Head & Neck, it works alongside neighbouring muscles to generate smooth, coordinated movement and to stabilise the structures it acts on.
Nerve supply & clinical relevance
The Frontalis receives its nerve supply from the Temporal branch of facial nerve (CN VII).
Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Temporal branch of facial nerve can weaken or paralyse the Frontalis, impairing the movements it normally produces (elevates the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead (transverse creases)). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Frontalis (the OIANS method)
Understand the frontalis as a skin muscle: because it attaches to the aponeurosis above and to the skin of the brows below rather than to bone, its pull lifts the eyebrows and creases the forehead horizontally, the look of surprise. Recognising this soft-tissue insertion explains why the muscle raises the brow and wrinkles the skin instead of moving a joint.
Pair the frontalis with the occipitalis as the two bellies of occipitofrontalis, one pulling the scalp forward and the other backward across the shared epicranial aponeurosis. Fix its supply as the temporal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII); loss of forehead wrinkling on one side is a useful sign that helps localise a facial nerve lesion.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Frontalis located?
The Frontalis is a muscle of the Facial Expression group, located in the Head & Neck.
What is the origin of the Frontalis?
Epicranial aponeurosis (galea aponeurotica)
What is the insertion of the Frontalis?
Skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows and glabella
What movements does the Frontalis produce?
Elevates the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead (transverse creases); draws the scalp anteriorly
What nerve supplies the Frontalis?
Temporal branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
Is the Frontalis free to study in OIANS?
The Frontalis is always free to browse. Its full origin, insertion, action and nerve details are open to everyone in the Muscle Directory. Quiz and Flashcard practice for the Head & Neck is part of the one-time Lifetime upgrade, though; only the Upper Limb decks are free to test yourself on.
Related muscles
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