The procerus is a small pyramidal muscle at the bridge of the nose that pulls the medial eyebrow downward to produce the frowning wrinkle across the nasal bridge and lower glabella. It works with the corrugator supercilii to produce the angry, concerned, or concentrated expression. Botulinum toxin injection into the procerus is one of the most common cosmetic procedures, eliminating the glabellar bunny lines across the nose bridge.
| Origin | Nasal bone and upper lateral nasal cartilage |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Skin of the lower forehead between the eyebrows |
| Nerve Supply | Temporal and buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) |
| Blood Supply | Angular artery |
| Actions | Pulls the medial eyebrow downward; Produces transverse wrinkles across the nasal bridge and glabella; Contributes to the frowning expression |
|---|
By pulling the medial brow inferiorly it produces the horizontal nasal bridge wrinkle during squinting against bright light or during concentration, acting as the brow depressor at the medial end.
Procerus and corrugator supercilii injections with Botulinum toxin constitute the standard glabellar complex treatment for the frown lines between the eyebrows and across the nasal bridge. Over-injection can produce an over-elevated brow or brow ptosis from diffusion to the frontalis or elevator muscles.
Palpable as a small muscle belly at the nasal bridge between the eyebrows, becoming firm during deliberate frowning and nasal bridge wrinkling.
Permanent horizontal skin creases across the nasal bridge and glabella from repeated procerus and corrugator supercilii contraction, treated with Botulinum toxin and filler.
