Scalp

Scalp

A) Layers

Skin

• Provided with abundant hairs and contains numerous sebaceous glands.

Connective tissue (close subcutaneous tissue)

• Is composed of dense connective tissue that binds the skin to the underlying aponeurosis of the occipitofrontalis muscle.
• Contains numerous blood vessels and nerves, and arteries nourish the hair follicles. These arteries are held by the dense connective tissue around them, and thus, they tend to remain open when cut, causing profuse bleeding.

Aponeurosis epicranialis (galea aponeurotica)

• Is a fibrous sheet that covers the vault of the skull and unites the occipitalis and frontalis muscles.

Loose connective tissue

• Forms the subaponeurotic space and contains the emissary veins.
• Is termed a dangerous area because infection (blood and pus) can spread easily in it or from the scalp to the intracranial sinuses by way of the emissary veins.

Pericranium

• Is the periosteum over the surface of the skull.

B) Innervation and blood supply

• Is innervated by the supratrochlear, supraorbital, zygomaticotemporal, auriculotemporal, lesser occipital, greater occipital, and third occipital nerves.
• Is supplied by the supratrochlear and supraorbital branches of the internal carotid and by the superficial temporal, posterior auricular, and occipital branches of the external carotid arteries.

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