MUSCULUS OCCIPITALIS Meaning and
Definition
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Musculus occipitalis, also known as the occipital muscle, is a small muscle located on the back of the skull and neck region. It is one of the muscles that make up the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the frontal belly (musculus frontalis).
The musculus occipitalis emerges from the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone, which is a prominent curved ridge at the back of the skull. It attaches to the galea aponeurotica, a dense fibrous sheet covering the top of the skull. The occipital muscle runs horizontally, parallel to the occipital bone.
The primary function of the musculus occipitalis is to facilitate the raising of the eyebrows and wrinkling of the forehead. It works in opposition to the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle in order to accomplish these actions. When the occipital muscle contracts, it pulls the galea aponeurotica downward, resulting in the elevation of the eyebrows and formation of horizontal furrows on the forehead.
The musculus occipitalis is innervated by branches of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). It receives its blood supply from the occipital artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery.
Overall, the musculus occipitalis is a small but important muscle involved in facial expressions of the forehead and eyebrow area. Its coordinated action with the frontal belly allows for a range of facial expressions, including surprise, curiosity, and frowning.
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Posterior portion of the epicranius; origin, linea nuchae suprema of occipital bone; insertion, galea aponeurotica; action, pulls scalp backward; nerve supply, facial.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MUSCULUS OCCIPITALIS
- nusculus occipitalis
- kusculus occipitalis
- jusculus occipitalis
- mysculus occipitalis
- mhsculus occipitalis
- mjsculus occipitalis
- misculus occipitalis
- m8sculus occipitalis
- m7sculus occipitalis
- muaculus occipitalis
- muzculus occipitalis
- muxculus occipitalis
- mudculus occipitalis
- mueculus occipitalis
- muwculus occipitalis
- musxulus occipitalis
- musvulus occipitalis
- musfulus occipitalis
- musdulus occipitalis
- muscylus occipitalis
Etymology of MUSCULUS OCCIPITALIS
The word "musculus occipitalis" is of Latin origin.
The term "musculus" in Latin means "muscle", derived from the Greek word "mys/mus" which also means "muscle".
The word "occipitalis" is derived from the Latin term "occiput" which means "back of the head" or "skull". It is derived from the combination of the prefix "ob-" which means "in front of" or "against", and "caput" meaning "head".
Therefore, "musculus occipitalis" can be translated to mean "the muscle of the occipital bone or back of the head" in English.
Similar spelling words for MUSCULUS OCCIPITALIS
- musculus rhombo-occipitalis,
- musculus cleido-occipitalis.
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