Occipitofrontalis muscle
Musculus occipitofrontalis
- Related terms: Occipitofrontalis
Definition
Origin: Lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone, and on the mastoid process of the temporal bone
Insertion: Galea aponeurotica, or epicranial aponeurosis, the occipital belly communicates with the frontal belly by an intermediate tendon. From the aponeurosis, the frontal belly is inserted in the fascia of the facial muscles and in the skin above the eyes and nose
Nerve: Ansa cervicalis
Action: Depress hyoid bone
Description:
The occipitofrontalis or epicranius is a muscle which covers parts of the skull. It consists of two parts or bellies: The occipital belly, near the occipital bone, and the frontal belly, near the frontal bone.
Some sources consider the occipitofrontalis to be a structure consisting of two distinct muscles, the frontalis and the occipitalis. However, Terminologia Anatomica currently classifies it as a single muscle, and also includes the temporoparietalis muscle as part of the epicranius.
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