ABSTRACT
The outer surface (periosteum) of the skull bones provides nutrition and the ability to repair the bones. It can be lifted surgically during craniotomy.
Blood supply to the scalp is provided by branches of the external and internal carotid arteries, which run in the dense connective tissue layer of the scalp and anastomose freely with each other. The nerve supply to the scalp varies according to region. The anterior scalp is supplied by the supratrochlear and supraorbital branches of cranial nerve V1 (ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve). The posterior scalp is supplied by the posterior rami of the C2/C3 nerve roots and the lateral scalp is supplied by the auriculotemporal branch of cranial nerve V3 (mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve).
