What is Frontalis?
It is a thin, quadrilateral muscle that is attached closely to superficial fascia. It has got no bony attachments. It is sometimes considered to be a part of the occipitofrontalis muscle.
Frontalis Location
It is located at the front of the head.
Frontalis Origin
It originates at the galea aponeurotica, a fibrous layer covering the upper part of the cranium’s and running from forehead to the skull’s back. The frontalis muscle arises at the anterior region of the galea aponeurotica that lies close to the top of the forehead and goes downwards and adheres to the eyebrows and upper nasal region. Terminal region of the frontalis muscle interdigitates with eyebrow and nasal muscles that includes procerus and orbicularis oculi muscles.
Frontalis Description
The muscle is broader than the Occipitalis. Its fibers are longer and have a paler colour. Its medial fibers are continuous with the medial fibers of Procerus. Its immediate fibers blend with Orbicularis oculi and Corrugator and are attached to the skin of eyebrows. Its lateral fibers are blended with the latter muscle over the zygomatic process of frontal bone. The fibers of the muscle are directed upwards in the spot where they join galea aponeurotica below coronal suture. Frontal muscles receive blood from supraorbital branch arising from the ophthalmic artery.
Frontalis Function
Originating from the forehead and running until eyebrows, the frontalis muscle is responsible for facial movements. Its primary function is to help an individual lift his or her eyebrows up, especially when a person is looking up. It also helps an individual adjust his or her vision when the view is too dim or distant.
Frontalis Muscle: Nerve
Innervation is a process in which a muscle contract or relax and cause movement upon receiving electrical impulses from the brain through nerves that run across the body. Each muscle has a particular innervating nerve. Likewise, the nerve innervating frontalis muscle is called facial nerve VII or cranial nerve VII.
Frontalis Muscle Pain
Frontalis Muscle Pain is characterized by an aching sensation across the forehead region which might cause straining of eyes.
Causes of Pain
- Constant raising of the eyebrows
- Repeated and persistent frowning
Frontalis muscle pain and symptoms could contribute to or be similar or affected by the following medical conditions:
- Migraines
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
- Tension headaches
- Constant eye strain
The frontalis muscle is the easiest and probably one of the most accessible muscles for massage in our human body. When a person is experiencing a headache in the forehead region or tightness in the forehead, then massaging from the top of the eyebrow to straight up until the hairline aids in stretching and relaxing the muscles and alleviating pain.
Frontalis Pictures
Here are some images that show the location of this muscle.
Picture 1 – Frontalis
Picture 2 – Frontalis Image
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontalis_muscle
http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/muscularsystem/expression/frontalis/tutorial.html
http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/frontalis
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