Nerve Supply of the Scalp

Study Notes

The zygomaticotemporal nerve from the maxillary supplies the scalp over the temple.
The auriculotemporal nerve from the mandibular supplies the skin over the temple.
The great auricular nerve from the cervical plexus (C2 and C3) supplies a small area of the scalp just posterior to the ear.
The lesser occipital nerve from the cervical plexus (C2) supplies the scalp over the lateral occipital region and the medial surface of the auricle.
The great occipital nerve is a branch of the posterior ramus of the C2 spinal nerve, supplying a large part of the posterior scalp as far superiorly as the vertex.
The third occipital nerve is a branch of the posterior ramus of the C3 spinal nerve, supplying a small area of the lower part of the scalp.

The supratrochlear and supraorbital veins → the anterior facial vein.
The superficial temporal vein and the maxillary vein → the retromandibular vein.

Skin: thick and hairy, contains numerous sebaceous glands.
Connective tissue (fibrofatty layer): contains many nerves, arteries, and veins.
Aponeurosis (occipitofrontalis): a thin tendinous sheet of deep fascia, unites the occipital and frontal bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle.
Loose areolar tissue: loosely connects the aponeurosis to the pericranium, contains a few small arteries and emissary veins.
Pericranium: periosteum covering the outer surface of the skull bones, becomes continuous with the endostium on the inner surface of the skull bones through sutures.

Occipito-frontalis muscle:
- Origin: occipital belly from the highest nuchal line, frontal belly from the skin and superficial fascia of the eyebrows.
- Insertion: both bellies are inserted into the epicranial aponeurosis.
- Nerve supply: occipital belly → posterior auricular of facial, frontal belly → temporal of facial.
- Action: moves the superficial 3 layers together, raises the eyebrows, and frowns.