Occipitalis

Region: Head & Neck Muscles · All head & neck muscles

Occipitalis at a glance

OriginLateral superior nuchal line of the occipital bone
InsertionGalea aponeurotica (epicranial aponeurosis)
ActionsPulls the scalp backwards
Nerve supplyFacial nerve (CN VII), posterior auricular branch

◆ Good to know

It is the back half of occipitofrontalis, linked to frontalis by the galea aponeurotica — the layer in which scalp wounds gape and scalp flaps are raised.

Please note: This page is an anatomy education summary for students and curious readers, not medical advice. Attachment points are given in their classic short form; individual anatomy varies, and detailed dissection-level descriptions belong in an anatomy atlas.