Differentiate the layers of the scalp including the clinical significance of each layer.

The scalp is composed of 5 layers of soft tissue which envelope the cranial vault.

A. Skin - First layer and the outer most protecting of the skull. It has sweat glands,
sebaceous glands, hair follicles. Abundant arterial supply, good lymphatic and
venous drainage.
B. Connective Tissue - It is dense and well vascularized with numberous arteries
and veins. The fibrous septa that connects the skin to the aponeurosis of the
occipitofrontalis muscle. Arteries are branched externally and internally carotid
arteries.
C. Aponeurosis ( Epicranial / Galea Aponeurotica) - Thin and tendinous sheet that
connects occipital and frontal bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle; its lateral
area connects to the temporal fascia and are innervated by the facial nerve
Occipitalfrontalis Muscle (Epicranius Muscle)
origin: 2 occipital bellies and 2 frontal bellies
insertion: epicranial aponeurosis
nerve supply:
occipital: posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve
frontal: frontal branch of the facial nerve
action: move scalp, wrinkle forehead, raise eyebrows
Innervated by CN VI, facial nerve

D. Loose areolar tissue Found under the subaponeurotic space and loosely
connects the epicranial aponeurosis to the pericranium. It allows the free
movement of the first three layers.
E. Pericranium / Periosteum - Dense layer of connective tissue forms the external
periosteum of the neurocranium. At the suture of the skull, the outer periosteum
connects with the inner periosteum
 REFERENCES:

1. Drake, R., Vogl, W., & Mitchell, A. (2014). Gray’s Anatomy (3rd ed.) Philadelphia, PA:
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and Neck Anatomy (3rd ed.). London: Mosby.
4. Netter, F. H. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy(6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
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