- Anatomical terminology
- Skeletal system
- Joints
- Muscles
-
Head muscles
- Extraocular muscles
-
Facial muscles
- Occipitofrontalis
- Corrugator supercilii
- Depressor supercilii
- Orbicularis oculi
- Malaris
- Buccinator
- Orbicularis oris
- Mentalis
- Depressor anguli oris
- Depressor labii inferioris
- Levator anguli oris
- Levator labii superioris
- Risorius
- Zygomaticus major
- Zygomaticus minor
- Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
- Nasalis
- Procerus
- Depressor septi nasi
- Compressor narium minor
- Dilator naris anterior
- Muscles of mastication
- Neck muscles
- Muscles of upper limb
- Thoracic muscles
- Muscles of back
- Muscles of lower limb
-
Head muscles
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Nervous system
- Respiratory system
- Digestive system
- Lymphatic system
- Female reproductive system
- Male reproductive system
- Endocrine glands
- Eye
- Ear
Occipital belly of occipitofrontalis
The occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis (Latin: venter occipitalis musculi occipitofrontalis), also known as the occipitalis, is a paired skeletal muscle of the head. This muscle is classified as the facial muscle. The occipital belly is a part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, and it is connected to the frontal belly of this muscle by the epicranial aponeurosis.
Occipital belly of occipitofrontalis | |
Origin | Superior nuchal line |
Insertion | Epicranial aponeurosis |
Action | Moves scalp posteriorly |
Innervation | Posterior auricular nerve of facial nerve (CN VII) |
Blood supply | Branches of posterior auricular and occipital arteries |
Origin
The occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis originates from the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone.
Insertion
The occipital belly inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis (also known as the galea aponeurotica).
Action
Upon contraction, the occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis moves the scalp posteriorly.
Innervation
The occipital belly is innervated by the posterior auricular nerve, a branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).
Blood supply
The occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis receives arterial blood supply mainly from the branches of the posterior auricular and occipital arteries.