Understanding Your Scalp

a part of the SCALP CARE ESSENTIALS SERIES

The scalp refers to the layers of skin and subcutaneous tissue that cover the bones of the cranial vault. It consists of five layers:

1. Skin: This layer contains numerous hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It is thick and serves as an area where hair can grow.

2. Dense Connective Tissue: This layer connects the skin to the epicranial aponeurosis. It is richly vascularised and innervated, and the blood vessels within it are highly adherent to the connective tissue.

3. Epicranial Aponeurosis: This is a thin, tendon-like structure that connects the occipitalis and frontalis muscles. It is a strong and immobile connective tissue layer continuous with the occipitofrontalis muscle.

4. Loose Areolar Connective Tissue: This is a thin connective tissue layer that separates the skull’s periosteum from the epicranial aponeurosis. It also serves as a flexible plane that separates the top three layers from the pericranium.

5. Periosteum: This is the outer layer of the skull bones. It is composed of dense irregular connective tissue and tightly adheres to the calvarial bone of the skull.

The scalp receives a rich arterial supply via the external carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery. The loose connective tissue layer is considered the “danger area” of the scalp because it contains the emissary veins, which are valveless veins that connect the extracranial veins of the scalp to the intracranial dural venous sinuses. These veins are a potential pathway for the spread of infection from the scalp to the intracranial space.

Read the next article in the Face Care Essentials Series: The Role of Sebum in Scalp Health.