Procerus muscle

Origin and insertion

Procerus muscle originates from the nasal bone and superior part of the lateral nasal cartilage. Its muscle fibers diverge superiorly, mostly inserting into the dermis of skin over the glabella. A small portion of muscle fibers indistinguishably blend with the lower part of the frontal belly of occipitofrontalis muscle.

Relations

Procerus is located in the midline of the face, deep to the skin that covers the root of the nose and glabella. It covers the nasal bone and the upper part of the lateral nasal cartilage. Laterally to the lower part of the muscle is the levator nasolabialis muscle, while inferiorly it blends with nasalis.

Corrugator supercilii attaches laterally to the superior portion of procerus. Inserting fibers of procerus partially cover the supratrochlear nerve and vessels as they pass from the orbit to the forehead. This muscle also overlies some superficial fibers of the buccal branches of facial nerve.

Innervation

Innervation to procerus comes from the temporal, lower zygomatic or buccal branches of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Procerus muscle is supplied by the angular and lateral nasal branches of facial artery.

Function

Procerus muscle depresses the medial end of eyebrows and wrinkles the glabellar skin. This produces the characteristic frowning expression shown by an individual upon exposure to strong and bright light, while focusing or when experiencing emotional distress. 

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Activation of procerus during life eventually leaves permanent wrinkles on the glabellar skin. For this reason, injecting botulinum toxin (Botox) into the procerus muscle is one common anti-aging technique.