Which muscle draws the scalp backwards?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle draws the scalp backwards?

The movement of the scalp is controlled by the occipitofrontalis muscle, which has two parts: the frontalis at the forehead and the occipitalis at the back. The back part, the occipitalis, originates from the occipital bone and blends with the galea aponeurotica. When it contracts, it pulls the scalp backward toward the occiput. In contrast, the frontalis pulls the scalp forward and raises the eyebrows. The other muscles listed have different roles—for example, procerus smooths and drops the skin between the eyebrows, and levator labii superioris lifts the upper lip. So the muscle that draws the scalp backwards is the occipitalis.

The movement of the scalp is controlled by the occipitofrontalis muscle, which has two parts: the frontalis at the forehead and the occipitalis at the back. The back part, the occipitalis, originates from the occipital bone and blends with the galea aponeurotica. When it contracts, it pulls the scalp backward toward the occiput. In contrast, the frontalis pulls the scalp forward and raises the eyebrows. The other muscles listed have different roles—for example, procerus smooths and drops the skin between the eyebrows, and levator labii superioris lifts the upper lip. So the muscle that draws the scalp backwards is the occipitalis.

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