Occipitofrontalis muscle

Occipitofrontalis muscle refers to a single muscle complex comprising the frontalis and occipitalis bellies with the intervening epicranial aponeurosis. It spans the dome of the skull, extending from the superior nuchal line to the eyebrows.

Origin

Occipital belly arises from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone, and mastoid process of the temporal bone.

Insertion

The occipital belly communicates with the frontal belly by an intermediate tendon. From the aponeurosis, the frontal belly inserts into the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the eyebrows and forehead.

Innervation

Facial nerve (CN VII)

Action

Occipital belly draws the scalp backward (occipitalis) and raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead via the frontalis component of the occipitofrontalis muscle.