frontotemporalis

The frontotemporalis muscle is a small, thin muscle located in the anterior region of the scalp. It is one of the muscles of facial expression and is innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The muscle originates from the frontal and temporal bones of the skull and inserts into the skin of the forehead and upper eyelid. Its primary function is to draw the eyebrows downward and medially, contributing to the expression of surprise and fear. The frontotemporalis muscle is also involved in the blink reflex, which helps to protect the eye from foreign objects and excessive light. The muscle is supplied by the superficial temporal artery and is innervated by the facial nerve. It is a paired muscle, with one muscle on each side of the head. The frontotemporalis muscle is a relatively small muscle, but it plays an important role in facial expression and eye protection.