Occipitofrontalis
Facial Expression · Head & Neck
The occipitofrontalis is the broad musculofibrous layer of the scalp, a muscle of facial expression consisting of two bellies joined by a wide tendinous sheet, the epicranial aponeurosis. The frontal belly attaches to the epicranial aponeurosis above and to the skin of the eyebrows and forehead below, while the occipital belly arises from the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone and inserts into the aponeurosis behind. Acting together across the aponeurosis, the frontal belly elevates the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead with transverse creases, giving a look of surprise, while the occipital belly draws the scalp backward. Both bellies are supplied by the facial nerve (CN VII), the frontal belly by the temporal branch and the occipital belly by the posterior auricular branch.
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Frontal belly: epicranial aponeurosis; Occipital belly: superior nuchal line of occipital bone
Insertion
Frontal belly: skin of eyebrows and forehead; Occipital belly: epicranial aponeurosis
Action
Frontal belly elevates eyebrows and wrinkles forehead; occipital belly retracts the scalp
Nerve
Facial nerve (CN VII), temporal and posterior auricular branches
Attachments explained
The Occipitofrontalis 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
Frontal belly: epicranial aponeurosis; Occipital belly: superior nuchal line of occipital bone
Insertion
Frontal belly: skin of eyebrows and forehead; Occipital belly: epicranial aponeurosis
Action & function
When the Occipitofrontalis contracts, it produces the following movements: Frontal belly elevates eyebrows and wrinkles forehead; occipital belly retracts the scalp.
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 Occipitofrontalis receives its nerve supply from the Facial nerve (CN VII), temporal and posterior auricular branches.
Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Facial nerve can weaken or paralyse the Occipitofrontalis, impairing the movements it normally produces (frontal belly elevates eyebrows and wrinkles forehead). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Occipitofrontalis (the OIANS method)
Study the occipitofrontalis as one muscle with two bellies working through the epicranial aponeurosis that connects them. The front belly raises the eyebrows and corrugates the forehead, the classic look of surprise, while the back belly tugs the whole scalp posteriorly; picturing the aponeurosis as a taut cap being pulled from front and back makes the paired action clear.
Fix the nerve supply as the two branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) that serve each belly, the temporal branch anteriorly and the posterior auricular branch behind. Recognising that the frontal and occipital bellies are often studied separately as frontalis and occipitalis will keep you from double-counting them while remembering they are parts of one continuous sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Occipitofrontalis located?
The Occipitofrontalis is a muscle of the Facial Expression group, located in the Head & Neck.
What is the origin of the Occipitofrontalis?
Frontal belly: epicranial aponeurosis; Occipital belly: superior nuchal line of occipital bone
What is the insertion of the Occipitofrontalis?
Frontal belly: skin of eyebrows and forehead; Occipital belly: epicranial aponeurosis
What movements does the Occipitofrontalis produce?
Frontal belly elevates eyebrows and wrinkles forehead; occipital belly retracts the scalp
What nerve supplies the Occipitofrontalis?
Facial nerve (CN VII), temporal and posterior auricular branches
Is the Occipitofrontalis free to study in OIANS?
The Occipitofrontalis 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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