Procerus, Anterior View

Description

Centered over the nasofrontal region, the procerus muscle is rendered as a short, pyramidal slip arising from the fascia over the nasal bones and upper lateral nasal cartilages, then ascending to blend with the skin of the glabella and the inferior forehead. In this anterior male view, it lies medial to the corrugator supercilii and deep to the superficial facial soft tissue, spanning the midline between the superomedial orbits. The underlying bony framework of the frontal bone, nasal bones, and maxilla is visible, with the nasal cavity outlined posterior to the nasal bridge and the maxillary dentition shown inferiorly. Cervical vertebrae extend inferiorly as a skeletal landmark for head and neck orientation. Small muscle. Big expression. Clinically, the procerus is a key contributor to transverse rhytids over the nasal bridge and the characteristic downward pull on the medial eyebrow during frowning, a distinction that matters when teaching facial expression mechanics and when planning targeted chemodenervation. Its midline position makes it a common botulinum toxin injection site in aesthetic practice, where inaccurate placement can diffuse into adjacent muscles and alter brow position, while overcorrection can flatten glabellar dynamics. The relationship to the nasofrontal suture and the medial orbital margins also helps orient learners to the boundary between nasal bridge anatomy and the glabellar complex. Use this illustration in head and neck gross anatomy labs, facial expression modules for dental and medical curricula, and surgical or aesthetic medicine atlases discussing the glabellar region and injection mapping. It also supports patient education for brow and nasal bridge wrinkle treatment planning and for explaining why midline muscular action differs from lateral frontalis-driven forehead lines. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.