Supreme nuchal line
Linea nuchalis suprema
- Latin synonym: Linea suprema nuchae; Linea nuchalis supraterminalis
- Synonym: Highest nuchal line
- Related terms: Highest nuchal line
Definition
Sometimes, you can find additional supreme nuchal lines, also known as the highest nuchal lines, on the back of the skull, a bit above the superior nuchal lines in the scalp area. These lines aren’t always there, but when they are, the right and left occipital bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle attach to them in their lateral halves. Between these two parts of the muscle, there’s a structure called the epicranial aponeurosis or galea aponeurotica. It’s connected to the medial halves of the supreme nuchal lines and the intervening external occipital protuberance.
References
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Standring, S. (2016). ‘Chapter 30: Face and Scalp’ in Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. (41st ed.) New York NY: Elsevier, pp. 490.
