Depressor supercilii muscle Origin, Insertion Function, Exercise

Introduction

• The depressor supercilii muscle is located near the eye, & it’s thought to assist in moving & lowering the eyebrow. Also, it’s thought to assist in moving the glabella, which is the skin above the nose & between the eyebrows.
• The depressor supercilii is an eye-fixed muscle of the human body. The character of this muscle is in certain dispute. Few printed anatomies include it & lots of authorities consider it to be part of the orbicularis oculi muscle.
• On the opposite hand, many dermatologists, ophthalmologists, & plastic surgeons hold that the depressor supercilii may be a distinct muscle & has a definite, individual effect on the motion of the eyebrow & skin of the glabella.

Origin & Insertion :

• The depressor supercilii arises on the medial orbital rim, close to the lacrimal bone, & inserts on the medial aspect of the bony orbit, inferior to the corrugator supercilii. In a few specimens, it exhibits 2 heads & in others, only one.

Function

• The main activity done by the depressor supercilii muscle is the depression of the eyebrow.

Nerve supply :

• The facial nerve innervated the depressor supercilii muscle.

Blood supply

• Supraorbital & supratrochlear arteries from the ophthalmic artery and terminal end of the facial artery.

Depressor supercilii muscle exercises

Frown (assisted):

• Using your fingers to help, pull the forehead muscles downwards & inwards, creating a frown. Hold this position, then relax.
• The depressor supercilii muscle is different from the corrugator supercilii muscle & therefore the medial head of the orbital part of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The depressor supercilii muscle was noted to be superior in orientation & dark redder in color than the orbicularis oculi muscle. The depressor supercilii muscle originates from the frontal process of the maxilla approximately 1 cm above the medial canthal tendon & seemed to originate from 2 distinct heads in most specimens, a unique finding. In specimens containing 2 heads of the depressor supercilii muscle, the angular vessels run between both muscle heads. The insertion of the depressor supercilii muscle within the dermis lay approximately 13-14 mm superior to the medial canthal tendon.
• In comparison to other muscles of the face, it’s a relatively small muscle. However, among physicians & researchers, there’s still debate over whether the depressor supercilii is a portion of the orbicularis oculi. Some plastic surgeons believe the muscle to be independent of its specific function, while other physicians argue that this muscle is a segment of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

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