The word "occipitofrontalis" refers to a muscle on the scalp. The spelling of this word is complex and reflects its Latin roots. The first part of the word, "occipito," refers to the back of the head, while "frontalis" refers to the forehead. The pronunciation of this word is /ɒkˌsɪpɪtəʊˌfrʌnˈteɪlɪs/ with stress on the second syllable. Correct spelling of medical terms is important in healthcare, as errors can lead to confusion and potentially harmful mistakes.
Occipitofrontalis refers to a muscle in the human body that is primarily located in the facial region. It is a broad, thin muscle that spans from the occipital bone at the back of the skull to the eyebrows at the front. The occipitofrontalis muscle is responsible for the movement and formation of various facial expressions, particularly those related to raising the eyebrows and wrinkling the forehead.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is comprised of two main parts: the occipital belly and the frontal belly. The occipital belly is located at the back of the head, originating from the occipital bone, and extends upwards towards the top of the skull. The frontal belly, on the other hand, originates from the eyebrow region and extends posteriorly towards the top of the skull. These two bellies are connected by a broad aponeurosis, a flat and tendinous structure.
The occipitofrontalis muscle receives its nerve supply from the facial nerve, specifically the temporal branch and the zygomatic branch. This nerve supply allows for voluntary control of the muscle's movements, allowing individuals to express a wide range of emotions through their facial features.
In addition to its role in facial expressions, the occipitofrontalis muscle also plays a minor role in scalp movement, such as lifting the scalp slightly. However, its primary function lies in its ability to create various facial expressions, making it an essential component of the human facial anatomy.
See under musculus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "occipitofrontalis" originates from Latin roots. Here is the breakdown:
1. "Occipito": Derived from the Latin word "occiput" which means "the back of the head", specifically referring to the bone at the back of the skull called the occipital bone.
2. "Frontalis": Derived from the Latin word "frons" which means "forehead". It refers to the muscle in the forehead region.
So, when combined, "occipitofrontalis" refers to a muscle that covers both the back of the head (occipital region) and the forehead (frontal region). This muscle is responsible for raising the eyebrows and wrinkling the forehead.