ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpCorrugator supercilii muscle

ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpCorrugator supercilii muscle

Corrugator supercilii muscle

Author: Gordana Sendić, MD • Reviewer: Adrian Rad, BSc (Hons)
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Corrugator supercilii muscle (Musculus corrugator supercilii)

Corrugator supercilii is a small, pyramidal muscle that belongs to the circumorbital and palpebral group of facial muscles, along with the levator palpebrae superioris and orbicularis oculi muscles. Like other facial muscles, corrugator supercilii is innervated by branches of the facial nerve.

Corrugator supercilii is a paired muscle found deep to the medial end of each eyebrow. Upon contraction, these muscles draw the two eyebrows together medially and inferiorly, thereby producing vertical wrinkles over the glabella and an expression of frowning.

This article will teach you all you need to know about the anatomy and functions of the corrugator supercilii muscle.

Key facts about the corrugator supercilii muscle
Origin	Medial end of superciliary arches, Fibers of orbicularis oculi muscle
Insertion	Skin above middle of supraorbital margin
Function	Creates vertical wrinkles over glabella
Innervation	Temporal branches of facial nerve (CN VII)
Blood supply	Ophthalmic artery, superficial temporal artery

Contents

Origin and insertion
Relations
Innervation
Blood supply
Function
Sources

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Origin and insertion

Corrugator supercilii originates from the medial end of the superciliary arch of frontal bone, cranially to the root of the nose. Its fibers extend diagonally, laterally and slightly superiorly to insert into the skin of the eyebrow above the middle part of the supraorbital margin.

Relations

Corrugator supercilii is located superior to the orbit, extending diagonally over the supraorbital margin and the medial end of the eyebrow. As corrugator supercilii extends superolaterally, it is found deep to the orbicularis oculi muscle and the frontal belly of occipitofrontalis, partially blending with both. At its origin point, corrugator supercilii is found laterally adjacent to the procerus muscle.

Innervation

Like other facial muscles, corrugator supercilii is innervated by the temporal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)

Blood supply

The corrugator supercilii muscle receives arterial blood mainly from the ophthalmic artery, which stems from the internal carotid artery. A small portion of arterial blood is additionally provided by branches of the superficial temporal artery, which originates from the external carotid artery. Venous blood is drained from corrugator supercilii by the superior ophthalmic vein, which flows into the cavernous sinus.

Function

Corrugator supercilii exerts traction on the skin above the supraorbital margin. The combined actions of the orbicularis oculi and corrugator muscle pull the eyebrows medially and inferiorly. This action can serve different functions, such as protecting the eyes from bright sunlight or rain. Due to its role in the facial expression of frowning, corrugator supercilii is deemed as the “eyebrow muscle” by producing vertical wrinkles over the glabella.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Singh, V. (2014). Textbook of Anatomy (Regional and Clinical) Head, Neck, and Brain; Volume III. London: Elsevier Health Sciences APAC.

Illustrators:

Corrugator supercilii muscle (Musculus corrugator supercilii) - Yousun Koh

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