Forehead
Forehead: anatomical region bounded by hairline and bone ridges.
The forehead is an area of the human head bounded by the hairline at the top, the supraorbital ridge at the bottom, and the temporal ridges on the sides. In Terminologia Anatomica, its Latin equivalent is sinciput, from semi- 'half' and caput 'head.' The forehead's bone is the squamous part of the frontal bone, and its muscles include the occipitofrontalis, procerus, and corrugator supercilii, all controlled by the temporal branch of the facial nerve.
Sensory innervation of the forehead comes from the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve and the cervical plexus, with nerves lying within the subcutaneous fat. The supraorbital nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic nerve, divides at the orbital rim into two parts: a superficial division that runs over the occipitofrontalis muscle to supply the skin and front edge of the scalp, and a deep division that enters the muscle to provide frontoparietal sensation. Motor nerves are supplied by the facial nerve. Blood reaches the forehead via the left and right superorbital, supertrochealar, and anterior branches of the superficial temporal artery.
The forehead muscles produce facial expressions through four basic motions. The occipitofrontalis raises the eyebrows, individually or together, for expressions like surprise or quizzicality. The corrugator supercilii pulls the eyebrows inward and downward to form a frown, while the procerus pulls down the center of the eyebrows. These movements create characteristic wrinkles: transverse wrinkles across the forehead from the occipitofrontalis, vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows from the corrugator supercilii, and nose wrinkles from the procerus.
A notable tactile phenomenon occurs in the middle of the forehead: a tingling or pressure-like sensation can be reliably triggered in healthy individuals simply by seeing an object, such as a pointed pencil or finger, approach the forehead without physical contact. This is a form of tactile hallucination not necessarily linked to mental illness.
In physiognomy and phrenology, forehead shape was believed to indicate intellect. Pseudo-Aristotle’s *Physiognomica* associated the forehead with Mars, linking specific shapes to personality traits: a low forehead with magnanimity, a fleshy one with deceit, a sharp one with fickleness, a wrinkled one with great spirit, a round one with virtue, a full large one with boldness, and a long
- field
- Human anatomy
- known_for
- Bounded by hairline, supraorbital ridge, and temporal ridges; site of expressive muscles and tactile hallucination
- structure
- Squamous part of frontal bone; occipitofrontalis, procerus, corrugator supercilii muscles
- innervation
- Sensory: ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve and cervical plexus; motor: facial nerve
- blood_supply
- Left and right supraorbital, supratrochlear, and anterior branches of superficial temporal artery
Lore & Background
The forehead is the region of the head bounded above by the hairline, below by the supraorbital ridge (the bony prominence above the eyes), and on each side by the temporal ridge, a bone feature connecting the supraorbital ridge to the coronal suture. The eyebrows are not part of the forehead. Its Latin anatomical term is sinciput, derived from *semi-* (“half”) and *caput* (“head”). The underlying bone is the squamous part of the frontal bone. Muscles in this area include the occipitofrontalis, procerus, and corrugator supercilii, all controlled by the temporal branch of the facial nerve. Sensory nerves arise from the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve and the cervical plexus, lying within subcutaneous fat. The supraorbital nerve divides at the orbital rim into a superficial division, which runs over the occipitofrontalis muscle to supply the forehead skin and front scalp, and a deep division, which enters the muscle to provide frontoparietal sensation. Blood is supplied by the left and right supraorbital, supratrochlear, and anterior branches of the superficial temporal artery. The forehead’s muscles produce four basic motions: raising the eyebrows (occipitofrontalis), pulling them inward and down (corrugator supercilii), and pulling down the center portions of the eyebrows (procerus). These movements create transverse wrinkles across the forehead and vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows. The procerus also causes the nose to wrinkle. The middle of the forehead is a site where tactile hallucinations—tingling or pressure—can be reliably triggered in healthy individuals simply by seeing an object approach without physical contact.
Reader's Guide
In physiognomy and phrenology, the shape of the forehead was taken to symbolize intellect and intelligence. Pseudo-Aristotle, in *Physiognomica*, linked the forehead to the planet Mars and described a range of meanings for different forms: a low and small forehead indicated magnanimity, boldness, and confidence; a fleshy, wrinkle-free forehead suggested litigiousness, vanity, deceit, and contentiousness; a sharp forehead pointed to weakness and fickleness; a wrinkled forehead signified great spirit and wit but poor fortune; a round forehead denoted virtue and good understanding; a full, large forehead indicated boldness, malice, boundary issues, and high spirit; and a long, high forehead represented honesty, weakness, simplicity, and poor fortune. In combat, using the forehead to strike an opponent is called a headbutt. The forehead is bounded by the hairline above, the supraorbital ridge below, and the temporal ridges on the sides. Its underlying bone is the squamous part of the frontal bone. Muscles here—the occipitofrontalis, procerus, and corrugator supercilii—produce expressions: raising eyebrows for surprise, pulling them inward and downward for a frown, and wrinkling the nose. These movements create characteristic transverse and vertical wrinkles. The middle of the forehead is a site where a tactile hallucination—a tingling or pressure sensation—can be reliably triggered in healthy individuals simply by seeing an object approach it without contact.
Did You Know?
- The forehead is bounded by the hairline, supraorbital ridge, and temporal ridges.
- The Latin term sinciput derives from semi- 'half' and caput 'head.'
- The middle of the forehead can produce a tactile hallucination in healthy individuals when an object approaches without contact.
- The occipitofrontalis muscles raise the eyebrows, forming expressions of surprise and quizzicality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Forehead?
The Forehead is the upper-front region of the human head, bounded superiorly by the hairline, inferiorly by the supraorbital ridge, and laterally by the temporal ridges. Its Latin anatomical name is sinciput, a compound of semi- ('half') and caput ('head').
Which muscles live in the Forehead?
Three expressive muscles operate across this region: the occipitofrontalis, the procerus, and the corrugator supercilii. Each one is driven by the temporal branch of the facial nerve, which is why the forehead can wrinkle, furrow, and raise so dramatically.
What bone forms the Forehead?
The bony foundation is the squamous (flat) part of the frontal bone. This thin, plate-like structure serves as the wall of the forehead and also contributes to the roof of the eye orbits.
How does the Forehead get its nerve supply?
Sensory innervation arrives via the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve together with fibers from the cervical plexus. Motor control of the forehead's muscles is handled by the temporal branch of the facial nerve.
What arteries feed the Forehead?
Blood reaches the region through the left and right supraorbital arteries, the supratrochlear arteries, and the anterior branches of the superficial temporal artery. This multi-source supply keeps the skin, muscles, and overlying tissues well perfused.
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