Depressor supercilii muscle
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The depressor supercilii is a facial muscle found medial to the orbits and acts as a depressor of the eyebrow.
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Terminology
Ongoing debate exists regarding the exact designation of this muscle. Some anatomy sources view it as part of the orbicularis oculi muscle while others (Cook et. al) suggest the depressor supercilii is a distinct muscle with its own origin and insertion 1,2.
Summary
origin: frontal process of maxilla (medial orbital rim)
insertion: skin in medial third aspect of the orbit
blood supply: branches of the facial artery
innervation: temporal branches of facial nerve (CN VII)
action: depresses eyebrow
Gross anatomy
Origin
The depressor supercilii muscle arises from the medial orbital rim formed by the frontal process of the maxillary bone. The muscle originates from two heads in most specimens and one head in a few others 2.
Insertion
The depressor supercilii inserts in the dermis on the medial aspect of the bony orbit, inferior to the corrugator supercilii muscle.
Arterial supply
Blood supply to the depressor supercilii is provided by branches of the facial artery (a branch of the external carotid artery).
Innervation
Like the corrugator supercilii, the depressor supercilii muscle is innervated by temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII).
Action
The depressor supercilii, as the name hints, is part of the eyebrow depressor muscles that functions to draw the eyebrow inferiorly upon contraction.
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