Human Anatomy: Scalp and Superficial Temporal Region

Questions and Answers

Which muscle inserts into the aponeurosis anteriorly?

Temporalis

Frontalis (correct)

Zygomaticus

Occipitalis

What is the attachment point of the aponeurosis posteriorly?

External occipital protuberance

Highest nuchal lines

Superior temporal lines

All of the above (correct)

What is the name of the first three layers of the scalp?

Surgical layers of the scalp (correct)

Scalp proper layers

Loose areolar tissue layers

Pericranial layers

What is the function of the fourth layer of the scalp?

Gives passage to the emissary veins Signup and view all the answers

Where does the fourth layer of the scalp extend to?

Anteriorly to the eyelids, and posteriorly to the highest and superior nuchal lines Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the attachment of the pericranium to the bones?

It is loosely attached to the surface of the bones, but firmly adherent to their sutures Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the deep fascia that covers the cranial vault?

Galea aponeurotica Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the occipitofrontalis muscle?

To raise the eyebrows and cause horizontal wrinkles Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the frontal bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle?

The skin of the upper eyelid and forehead Signup and view all the answers

What is the nerve supply to the occipital bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle?

Posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that the skin is adherent to through the dense superficial fascia?

Epicranial aponeurosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the subcutaneous or superficial fascia in the centre of the head?

It is more fibrous and dense Signup and view all the answers

What is the boundary of the scalp anteriorly?

Supraorbital margins Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the skin of the scalp?

It is hairy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Scalp

The soft tissues covering the cranial vault form the scalp
The scalp has anterior, posterior, and lateral boundaries:
- Anteriorly: supraorbital margins
- Posteriorly: external occipital protuberance and superior nuchal lines
- Laterally: superior temporal lines

Structure of the Scalp

The scalp consists of five layers:
- First three layers: surgical layers of the scalp, also known as scalp proper
- Fourth layer: loose areolar tissue
- Fifth layer: pericranium

Epicranial Aponeurosis (Galea Aponeurotica)

A deep fascia that covers the scalp
Attached to the occipitofrontalis muscle
Freely movable on the pericranium along with the overlying skin and fascia

Occipitofrontalis Muscle

Has two bellies: occipital (occipitalis) and frontal (frontalis)
Both bellies inserted into the epicranial aponeurosis
Occipital bellies: small, separate, and supplied by the posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve
Frontal bellies: longer, wider, and partly united in the median plane, supplied by the temporal branch of the facial nerve
Functions: raises the eyebrows and causes horizontal wrinkles in the skin of the forehead

Layers of the Scalp

Fourth layer (loose areolar tissue): extends into the eyelids, posteriorly to the highest and superior nuchal lines, and on each side to the superior temporal lines
Allows passage to emissary veins, which connect extracranial veins to intracranial venous sinuses
Fifth layer (pericranium): loosely attached to the surface of the bones, but firmly adherent to their sutures where the sutural ligaments bind the pericranium to the endocranium