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The Scalp
Definition
Scalp is the area bearing hair extending from the upper part of the neck to the eye brows and between the temples on the sides
The various layers of the scalp are
• Skin
• Connective tissue
• Aponeurotica - Galea aponeurotica
• Loose areolar tissue
• Pericranium or periosteum of the skull
Galea aponeurotica lies over the vertex between occipitalis muscle in front and frontalis muscle in the back. Both the muscles are inserted into the galea aponeuro tica. Both the muscles are together called occipitofrontalis.
The first 3 layers are bound together as a single unit. This single unit can move along the loose areolar tissue over the pericranim which is adherent to the skull bone. It fades out laterally by blending with the temporal fascia just above the zygomatic arch.
The skin of the scalp is firmly bound down to these muscles and to the galea aponeurotica
Blood supply
Profuse
Derived from the external carotid branches :
posterior auricular arteries
occipital arteries
superficial temporal areteries
supra orbital arteries
Applied Anatomy
Since the scalp is stretched tightly by the occipito frontalis muscle even a blunt injury will cause a tear in the scalp which will look like an incised wound by sharp knife
Since there is profuse supply even if the whole scalp had been ripped off the scalp even if only a slight attachment is present in any one part the scalp will survive after suturing
Sub periosteal haematomas will feel very hard like a bony swelling
