Epicranial aponeurosis

Template:Short description Template:Template other The epicranial aponeurosis (aponeurosis epicranialis, galea aponeurotica) is an aponeurosis (a tough layer of dense fibrous tissue). It covers the upper part of the skull in humans and many other animals.

Structure

In humans, the epicranial aponeurosis originates from the external occipital protuberance and highest nuchal lines of the occipital bone. It merges with the occipitofrontalis muscle. In front, it forms a short and narrow prolongation between its union with the frontalis muscle (the frontal part of the occipitofrontalis muscle).

On either side, the epicranial aponeurosis attaches to the anterior auricular muscles and the superior auricular muscles. Here it is less aponeurotic, and is continued over the temporal fascia to the zygomatic arch as a layer of laminated areolar tissue.

It is closely connected to the integument by the firm, dense, fibro-fatty layer which forms the superficial fascia of the scalp. It is attached to the pericranium by loose cellular tissue, which allows the aponeurosis, carrying with it the integument, to move through a considerable distance.

Clinical significance

Subgaleal haemorrhage is defined as bleeding between the epicranial aponeurosis and the skull. Conservative management is usually appropriate for these, as there is little risk of further damage to surrounding structures.

History

The epicranial aponeurosis is also known as the aponeurosis epicranialis (from Latin), and the galea aponeurotica.

Additional images

• Diagrammatic section of scalp.
  Diagrammatic section of scalp.
• Epicranial aponeurosis from a frontal view, labeled 1
  Epicranial aponeurosis from a frontal view, labeled 1

See also

• Epicranium
• Aponeurosis

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from Template:Wikidatathe 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links

• Anatomy photo:28:01-0109 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Cranial Fossae: Layers of the scalp"