Depressor supercilii muscle

Changed by Andrea Molinari, 17 Jan 2023
Disclosures - updated 18 Nov 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

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The depressor supercilii is a facial muscle found medial to the orbits and acts as a depressor of the eyebrow.

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

Gross anatomy

Origin

Thedepressor 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.

  • -<p>The <strong>depressor supercilii</strong> is a <a href="/articles/facial-muscles" title="Facial muscles">facial muscle</a> found medial to the orbits and acts as a depressor of the eyebrow.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>Ongoing debate exists regarding the exact designation of this muscle. Some anatomy sources view it as part of the <a href="/articles/orbicularis-oculi-muscle-1" title="Orbicularis oculi muscle">orbicularis oculi muscle</a> while others (Cook et. al) suggest the depressor supercilii is a distinct muscle with its own origin and insertion <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><h4>Summary</h4><ul>
  • -<li><p><strong>origin</strong>: frontal process of <a href="/articles/maxilla" title="Maxilla">maxilla</a> (medial orbital rim)</p></li>
  • -<li><p><strong>insertion</strong>: skin in medial third aspect of the orbit</p></li>
  • -<li><p><strong>blood supply</strong>: branches of the <a href="/articles/facial-artery" title="Facial artery">facial artery</a></p></li>
  • -<li><p><strong>innervation</strong>: temporal branches of <a href="/articles/facial-nerve" title="Facial nerve (CN VII)">facial nerve (CN VII)</a></p></li>
  • -<li><p><strong>action</strong>: depresses <a href="/articles/eyebrow" title="Eyebrow">eyebrow</a></p></li>
  • +<p>The <strong>depressor supercilii</strong> is a <a href="/articles/facial-muscles" title="Facial muscles">facial muscle</a> found medial to the orbits and acts as a depressor of the eyebrow.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>Ongoing debate exists regarding the exact designation of this muscle. Some anatomy sources view it as part of the <a href="/articles/orbicularis-oculi-muscle-1" title="Orbicularis oculi muscle">orbicularis oculi muscle</a> while others (Cook et. al) suggest the depressor supercilii is a distinct muscle with its own origin and insertion <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><h4>Summary</h4><ul>
  • +<li><p><strong>origin</strong>: frontal process of <a href="/articles/maxilla" title="Maxilla">maxilla</a> (medial orbital rim)</p></li>
  • +<li><p><strong>insertion</strong>: skin in medial third aspect of the orbit</p></li>
  • +<li><p><strong>blood supply</strong>: branches of the <a href="/articles/facial-artery" title="Facial artery">facial artery</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p><strong>innervation</strong>: temporal branches of <a href="/articles/facial-nerve" title="Facial nerve (CN VII)">facial nerve (CN VII)</a></p></li>
  • +<li><p><strong>action</strong>: depresses <a href="/articles/eyebrow" title="Eyebrow">eyebrow</a></p></li>

References changed:

  • 3. Depressor Supercilii Muscle: Anatomy, Histology, And... : Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. LWW.

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