Procerus, Gross Anatomy

Description

Positioned over the nasal bridge and glabella, the procerus (pyramidalis nasi) appears as a small midline facial muscle arising from the fascia over the nasal bones and upper lateral nasal cartilages, then inserting superiorly into the skin of the lower forehead between the eyebrows. A lateral skull and upper cervical spine context frames the region, with the frontal bone, nasal bones, maxilla, and mandible defining the bony scaffold deep to the soft tissues. Superior to the nasal dorsum, the procerus blends with adjacent fibers of frontalis and lies medial to corrugator supercilii, while the nasalis sits more inferior and lateral over the nasal sidewall. Cartilaginous nasal elements are differentiated from bone, clarifying the transition from rigid nasal bones to flexible upper lateral cartilage. Facial injection planning and rhinoplasty teaching benefit from this anatomy because procerus activity produces transverse glabellar lines and contributes to medial brow depression, a pattern often treated with botulinum toxin in the central forehead. Misplacement can spread to nearby brow depressors or elevators, shifting brow position and altering expression, so its midline course and relationship to corrugator supercilii matter. Surgeons also use the glabellar region as a landmark during dorsal nasal approaches, where the soft tissue envelope and muscular attachments influence postoperative contour and scarring. Use this artwork in head and neck gross anatomy courses, facial expression modules for plastic surgery and dermatology training, and figures for atlases or review articles discussing glabellar wrinkles, toxin injection points, and nasal dorsum soft tissue layers. It also suits patient education materials that explain why the central brow creases with frowning. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.