Muscle
Occipitofrontalis
Raises the eyebrows
High-yield
Frontal belly raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead ("surprise"); CN VII. Frontalis sparing helps localise a facial palsy as central.
Overview
A muscle with frontal and occipital bellies joined by the epicranial aponeurosis that wrinkles the forehead and raises the eyebrows.
Reference facts
- Origin
Epicranial aponeurosis (frontal belly); highest nuchal line (occipital belly)
- Insertion
Skin of the eyebrows and forehead (frontal belly); epicranial aponeurosis (occipital belly)
- Action
Frontal belly elevates the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead; occipital belly retracts the scalp
- Innervation
Temporal and posterior auricular branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)
- Blood supply
Supratrochlear, supraorbital, and occipital arteries