Anatomy of the Scalp and Muscles

The outermost layer of the scalp, it's thick and contains hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

A dense layer of connective tissue housing the scalp's vessels and nerves, and containing lobules of fat.

A strong, fibrous sheet that connects the frontal and occipital bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle.

A thin layer of loose connective tissue that allows the aponeurosis to move freely over the skull.

The inner layer of the scalp, tightly adhered to the skull bones, except at sutures.

One of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery, it ascends superficially to the root of the zygomatic arch and enters the scalp in front of the auricle. Branches of the superficial temporal artery supply the scalp, face, and temple.

This artery originates from the back of the external carotid artery and enters the scalp behind the auricle. It supplies the scalp behind the ear.

Originating from the back of the external carotid artery, this artery enters the scalp laterally to the external occipital protuberance. It supplies the back of the scalp.

The superficial temporal vein, posterior auricular vein, and occipital vein drain the scalp. They run alongside their corresponding arteries.

The superficial temporal vein merges with the maxillary vein to form the retromandibular vein.

A nerve that originates from the third cervical nerve and supplies the skin over the external occipital protuberance and upper part of the neck.

A branch of the facial nerve that controls the occipital belly of the occipito-frontalis muscle and the auricularis posterior muscle, which are involved in ear and scalp movements.

A muscle located between the mandible and maxilla, plays a crucial role in chewing and facial expression.

The location where the buccinator muscle originates from on the mandible.

The movement of the buccinator muscle where upper fibers insert into the upper lip, lower fibers insert into the lower lip, and middle fibers cross at the angle of the mouth.

Occipital bellies pull on the epicranial aponeurosis, creating tension.

The Frontal bellies pull on the eyebrows, causing wrinkles on the forehead.

The Supratrochlear artery enters from the orbit and supplies the forehead and scalp.

The Supraorbital artery also emerges from the orbit and supplies the forehead and anterior scalp.

The supra-trochlear nerve supplies the medial part of the upper eyelid, forehead, and anterior part of the scalp.

The supra-orbital nerve supplies the middle part of the upper eyelid, forehead, and scalp.

The zygomaticotemporal nerve supplies the frontal part of the temple.

The anterior group of scalp nerves includes the supra-trochlear, supra-orbital, and zygomaticotemporal nerves.

These nerves enter the scalp behind the auricle. While the details of these nerves are incomplete in this document, examples include various facial, occipital, and other nerves.

A sensory nerve originating from the posterior division of the mandibular nerve, it supplies sensation to the temporal region, ear, and ear canal.

One of five terminal branches of the facial nerve, it provides motor function to muscles in the forehead and upper face.

A sensory nerve arising from the cervical plexus, it supplies sensation to a small area behind the ear, the lower part of the ear, and the skin over the parotid gland.

A sensory nerve originating from the cervical plexus, it supplies sensation to the upper half of the inner ear surface and the adjacent scalp.

The thickest cutaneous nerve in the body, it originates from the posterior first ramus of C2 and provides sensation to a large part of the back of the scalp.

The three nerves that provide sensory innervation to the ear include the Auriculotemporal, Great Auricular, and Lesser Occipital nerves.

While the Auriculotemporal nerve is sensory, the Temporal Branch of the Facial Nerve provides motor function to muscles in the forehead and upper face.

The Great Auricular Nerve provides sensation to the skin over the parotid gland, while the Temporal Branch of the Facial Nerve is situated within the parotid gland itself.