Corpus: Galea aponeurotica

The galea aponeurotica is a flat aponeurosis that covers the upper part of the skull like a cap. It is part of the scalp.

The galea aponeurotica serves as an attachment for the two muscle bellies of the occipitofrontalis muscle. It is attached dorsally to the linea nuchae suprema of the occipital bone via its venter occipitalis. Anteriorly, it grasps the venter frontalis of the occipitofrontalis muscle between a thin, superficial leaf and a more pronounced, deep leaf. The deep leaf is connected to the supraorbital margo and raises the marginal arcus.

Anteriorly, the galea aponeurotica tapers between the right and left occipitofrontalis muscles towards the nasal base. Laterally, it continues in the temporal fascia. Here it serves as the origin of the anterior auricularis muscle and the superior auricularis muscle.

The galea aponeurotica is firmly connected to the scalp by a fibre-rich, dense layer of connective tissue. Opposite the periosteum is a loose layer of areolar connective tissue, which allows good mobility in relation to the skull.

Accumulations of blood (haematomas) below the galea aponeurotica are referred to as subgaleal haematoma.