Epicranial aponeurosis

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Epicranial aponeurosis
1106 Side Views of the Muscles of Facial Expressions numbered.jpg
Muscles of the head, face, and neck. (Epicranial aponeurosis visible at top labeled 1.)
Details
System skeletal
Identifiers
Latin galea aponeurotica,
aponeurosis epicranialis,
aponeurosis epicrania
TA98 A04.1.03.007
TA2 2059
FMA 46768
Anatomical terminology

The epicranial aponeurosis (aponeurosis epicranialis, galea aponeurotica) is an aponeurosis (a tough layer of dense fibrous tissue). It covers the upper part of the skull in humans and many other animals.

Contents

Structure

In humans, the epicranial aponeurosis originates from the external occipital protuberance and highest nuchal lines of the occipital bone. [1] It merges with the occipitofrontalis muscle. In front, it forms a short and narrow prolongation between its union with the frontalis muscle (the frontal part of the occipitofrontalis muscle).

On either side, the epicranial aponeurosis attaches to the anterior auricular muscles and the superior auricular muscles. Here it is less aponeurotic, and is continued over the temporal fascia to the zygomatic arch as a layer of laminated areolar tissue.

It is closely connected to the integument by the firm, dense, fibro-fatty layer which forms the superficial fascia of the scalp. It is attached to the pericranium by loose cellular tissue, which allows the aponeurosis, carrying with it the integument, to move through a considerable distance.

Clinical significance

Subgaleal haemorrhage is defined as bleeding between the epicranial aponeurosis and the skull. [2] Conservative management is usually appropriate for these, as there is little risk of further damage to surrounding structures. [2]

History

The epicranial aponeurosis is also known as the aponeurosis epicranialis (from Latin),[ citation needed ] and the galea aponeurotica. [2]

Additional images

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parietal bone</span> Bone in the human skull which, when joined together, forms the sides and roof of the cranium

The parietal bones are two bones in the skull which, when joined at a fibrous joint, form the sides and roof of the cranium. In humans, each bone is roughly quadrilateral in form, and has two surfaces, four borders, and four angles. It is named from the Latin paries (-ietis), wall.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aponeurosis</span> Tissue which connects muscles to other organs

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior auricular muscle</span> Muscle that draws the auricle of the outer ear upwards

The superior auricular muscle is a muscle above the auricle of the outer ear. It originates from the epicranial aponeurosis, and inserts into the upper part of the medial surface of the auricle. It draws the auricle upwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anterior auricular muscle</span> Muscle connectingthe epicranial aponeurosis to the helix of the ear

The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of the three auricular muscles, is thin and fan-shaped, and its fibers are pale and indistinct. It arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis, and its fibers converge to be inserted into a projection on the front of the helix.

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References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 380 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Cunningham, Craig; Scheuer, Louise; Black, Sue (2016). "5 - The Skull". Developmental juvenile osteology (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press. pp. 43–148. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-382106-5.00005-0. ISBN   978-0-12-382107-2. OCLC   956277358.
  2. 1 2 3 Stewart, Christopher C. (2007). "143 - Neurosurgical Issues". Comprehensive Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Philadelphia: Mosby. pp. 908–914. doi:10.1016/B978-032303004-5.50147-2. ISBN   978-0-323-07040-9. OCLC   324998103.