Anatomy: Face and Scalp

Skin

The outermost layer of the scalp containing hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.

Connective tissue of scalp

A dense, highly vascular subcutaneous layer containing blood vessels and nerves supplying the scalp.

Aponeurosis (Epicranial aponeurosis)

A broad, strong tendinous sheet connecting the frontal and occipital bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle.

Loose connective tissue of scalp

A sponge-like layer allowing movement of the scalp proper over the pericranium, known as the "danger zone" because blood and infection can easily spread through it.

Pericranium

The periosteum forming the innermost layer of the scalp directly covering the external surface of the neurocranium.

Frontal belly of occipitofrontalis

A facial muscle that elevates the eyebrows, wrinkles the forehead skin, and protracts the scalp.

Occipital belly of occipitofrontalis

A facial muscle that retracts the scalp and increases the effectiveness of the frontal belly.

Orbicularis oculi

A circular muscle surrounding the orbital opening that closes the eyelids, with a palpebral part for gentle closure and an orbital part for tight closure (winking).

Orbicularis oris

An oral sphincter muscle that closes the mouth, compresses and protrudes the lips, and resists distention when blowing.

Buccinator

A cheek muscle that presses the cheek against molar teeth to keep food between occlusal surfaces during chewing and resists distention when blowing.

Platysma

A superficial muscle of the neck and lower face that depresses the mandible against resistance and tenses the skin of the inferior face and neck.

Temporal branch of facial nerve

A motor branch of CN VII providing innervation to the frontal belly of occipitofrontalis and superior orbicularis oculi.

Zygomatic branch of facial nerve

A motor branch of CN VII providing innervation to the inferior orbicularis oculi and other facial expression muscles.

Buccal branch of facial nerve

A motor branch of CN VII providing innervation to the buccinator, orbicularis oris, and upper lip muscles.

Marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve

A motor branch of CN VII providing innervation to the lower lip and chin muscles.

Cervical branch of facial nerve

A motor branch of CN VII providing innervation to the platysma muscle.

Posterior auricular branch of facial nerve

A motor branch of CN VII providing innervation to the occipital belly of occipitofrontalis and posterior auricular muscles.

Ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) sensory distribution

Provides sensory innervation to the bridge and dorsum of the nose, superior eyelid, forehead, and anterior two-thirds of the scalp.

Maxillary nerve (CN V2) sensory distribution

Provides sensory innervation to the lateral nose, inferior eyelid, superior cheek, superior lip, and anterior temporal region.

Mandibular nerve (CN V3) sensory distribution

Provides sensory innervation to the inferior lip, chin, inferior cheek, posterior temporal region, and tragus of the auricle.

Great auricular nerve

A nerve arising from the anterior rami of C2 and C3 providing sensory innervation to the parotid region, angle of the mandible, earlobe, and posterior scalp.

Lesser occipital nerve

A nerve arising from the anterior ramus of C2 providing sensory innervation to the scalp posterior to the auricle.

Greater occipital nerve

A nerve arising from the posterior ramus of C2 providing sensory innervation to the posterior one-third of the scalp and inferior occipital region.

Third occipital nerve

A nerve arising from the posterior ramus of C3 providing sensory innervation to the inferior occipital region.

Facial artery

A major branch of the external carotid artery supplying blood to the superficial structures of the face.

Superficial temporal artery

A terminal branch of the external carotid artery supplying blood to the temporal region and scalp.

Occipital artery

A branch of the external carotid artery supplying blood to the posterior region of the scalp.

Posterior auricular artery

A branch of the external carotid artery supplying blood to the scalp behind the ear.

Maxillary artery

The larger terminal branch of the external carotid artery that passes through the infratemporal fossa to supply deep facial structures, teeth, and meninges.

Supra-orbital artery

A branch of the ophthalmic artery (from the internal carotid) supplying blood to the forehead and anterior scalp.

Supratrochlear artery

A branch of the ophthalmic artery (from the internal carotid) supplying blood to the forehead and anterior scalp.

Facial vein

A major vein draining deoxygenated blood from the face directly into the internal jugular vein.

Retromandibular vein

A vein formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins that contributes to the external jugular vein.

Pterygoid venous plexus

A valveless network of veins located within the infratemporal fossa that receives drainage from the face and communicates directly with the maxillary vein and cavernous sinus.

Parotid gland

The largest paired salivary gland, located anteroinferior to the external acoustic meatus, through which the facial nerve plexus passes.

Parotid duct

A duct that passes across the masseter muscle and pierces the buccinator muscle to open into the oral cavity opposite the second maxillary molar.

Temporal fossa

A shallow space superior to the zygomatic arch overlying the frontal, parietal, sphenoid, and temporal bones that houses the temporalis muscle.

Infratemporal fossa

An irregularly shaped anatomical space located inferior and deep to the zygomatic arch and posterior to the maxilla.

Lateral pterygoid muscle

A muscle of mastication originating from the infratemporal crest and lateral pterygoid plate, inserting into the condyloid process and TMJ capsule, that protrudes and moves the mandible side-to-side.

Medial pterygoid muscle

A muscle of mastication originating from the lateral pterygoid plate, palatine bone, and maxilla, inserting into the medial surface of the mandibular ramus and angle, that elevates and protrudes the mandible.

Masseter muscle

A powerful muscle of mastication originating from the zygomatic arch and inserting into the mandibular ramus and angle to elevate and protrude the mandible.

Temporalis muscle

A fan-shaped muscle of mastication originating from the temporal fossa and inserting into the coronoid process of the mandible that elevates and retracts the mandible.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

A modified hinge joint formed between the condylar head of the mandible and the mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of the temporal bone.

Middle meningeal artery

A major branch of the first part of the maxillary artery that enters the cranium via the foramen spinosum to supply the dura mater and calvaria.

Inferior alveolar nerve

A sensory branch of CN V3 that enters the mandibular canal to innervate the lower teeth and gums before emerging as the mental nerve.

Lingual nerve

A sensory branch of CN V3 that provides general sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and carries fibers from the chorda tympani.

Buccal nerve (V3)

A sensory branch of CN V3 providing sensation to the skin and mucous membrane of the cheek area.

Auriculotemporal nerve

A sensory branch of CN V3 that encircles the middle meningeal artery and conveys postganglionic parasympathetic secretomotor fibers from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland.

Chorda tympani

A branch of CN VII carrying preganglionic parasympathetic fibers and taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue that joins the lingual nerve in the infratemporal fossa.

Otic ganglion

A parasympathetic ganglion located medial to CN V3 in the infratemporal fossa where preganglionic fibers from the lesser petrosal nerve (CN IX) synapse.

Submandibular ganglion

A parasympathetic ganglion suspended from the lingual nerve where preganglionic fibers from the chorda tympani (CN VII) synapse to supply the submandibular and sublingual glands.

Pterygopalatine fossa

A small pyramidal space medial to the infratemporal fossa communicating via the pterygomaxillary fissure that contains the maxillary nerve (V2), pterygopalatine ganglion, and 3rd part of the maxillary artery.

Pterygopalatine ganglion

A parasympathetic ganglion in the pterygopalatine fossa receiving preganglionic fibers from the greater petrosal nerve (CN VII) to supply the lacrimal gland and nasal/palatine mucosal glands.

Greater petrosal nerve

A branch of CN VII carrying preganglionic parasympathetic fibers that joins the deep petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal.

Deep petrosal nerve

A nerve carrying postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the internal carotid periarterial plexus that joins the greater petrosal nerve.

Nerve of pterygoid canal

A nerve formed by the union of the greater and deep petrosal nerves that enters the pterygopalatine fossa to reach the pterygopalatine ganglion.

Trigeminal neuralgia

A clinical condition characterized by sudden attacks of excruciating facial pain, most frequently involving the maxillary (V2) or mandibular (V3) divisions of the trigeminal nerve.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

A life-threatening infection and blood clot formation within the cavernous sinus, often resulting from retrograde spread of facial infections via valveless veins.

Parotid gland infection (Mumps)

Inflammation and severe swelling of the parotid gland caused by infectious agents, causing severe pain during chewing due to confinement by the unyielding parotid fascia.

Temporomandibular joint dislocation

Anterior displacement of the mandibular condyle past the articular tubercle, commonly caused by excessive contraction of the lateral pterygoid muscles during yawning or a blow to an open mouth