Procerus muscle
Musculus procerus
- Related terms: Procerus
Definition
Procerus muscle | |
Origin | Nasal bone & upper lateral nasal cartilage |
Insertion | Skin of lower forehead between eyebrows |
Innervation | Facial nerve |
Action | Draws the medial portions of the eyebrows downward, creating transverse wrinkles across the bridge of the nose |
The procerus is a small, pyramidal facial muscle located in the glabellar region of the forehead, between the eyes and superior to the nasal bridge. It forms part of the nasal group of facial muscles.
Origin
From the lower part of the nasal bone and the upper part of the lateral nasal cartilage.
Insertion
Into the skin of the lower part of the forehead, between the eyebrows and continuous with the fibres of the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis.
Innervation
Temporal branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).
Action
Draws the medial part of the eyebrows inferiorly and medially, producing transverse wrinkles over the bridge of the nose—as in frowning.
Clinical Note
Overactivity of the procerus muscle contributes to glabellar frown lines, often targeted in botulinum toxin (Botox) treatments.
References
Fakoya AO, Hohman MH, Westbrook KE, et al. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Facial Muscles. [Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493209/
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 30: Face and Scalp, p. 489-496.
