Spry Juncture, LLC
How to Evolve Gracefully
Occipitofrontalis
Region
📷 Occipitalis muscle animation small by Anatomography, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.1 JP
📷 Frontalis muscle animation small by Anatomography, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.1 JP
Origin & Insertion
Origin: Epicranial aponeurosis (galea aponeurotica)
Insertion: Skin of forehead and eyebrows
Synergistic Muscles
Corrugator supercilii
Orbicularis oculi
Joints
None (acts on skin and fascia)
Primary Actions
Raises eyebrows
Wrinkles forehead
Nerve & Spinal Segment
Facial nerve (CN VII)
branch: temporal
Cranial nerve (no plexus)
originates from pons
Interesting
Part of the scalp muscle group; helps express surprise. [Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy]
Reversal of Action
Move scalp backward while keeping eyebrows still
Common Dysfunctions
Facial asymmetry,
Forehead paralysis (e.g., Bell’s palsy)
How to Stretch
Use fingertips to gently press down on the forehead while lifting the eyebrows.
How to Strengthen
Raise eyebrows against resistance (fingers or band),
hold 5 seconds.
Concentric Action
Raise eyebrows upward
Applications:
Used in facial retraining post-stroke or Bell’s palsy
Eccentric Action
Slowly lower eyebrows from raised position
Isotonic Action
Repeated eyebrow raises
Related Conditions
Bell's palsy
Tension-type headaches
Isometric Action
Hold eyebrows in raised position
Exercise Ideas
Forehead lifts',
Eyebrow pulses
Scalp massage with active contraction