Forehead
The area of the head above the eyes and below the hairline.
The forehead is the upper section of the human face, bounded by the hairline at the top and the brow ridge at the bottom. It plays a key role in facial expression through specific muscles and nerves.
- The forehead is bounded by the hairline, supraorbital ridge, and temporal ridges.
- Muscles here control eyebrow movement and facial expressions.
- Nerves supply sensation while arteries provide blood flow.
- Historical physiognomy falsely linked forehead shape to intelligence.
- Wrinkles form horizontally from one muscle and vertically from another.
What it is
The forehead sits on the front of the head, sitting between the scalp and the eyes. Its upper edge is defined by where hair growth begins, known as the hairline. The lower boundary is the bony ridge above the eyes, called the supraorbital ridge. The sides are marked by the temporal ridges, which connect to the skull's suture lines. Eyebrows sit on this area but do not form part of it. The underlying bone is the squamous part of the frontal bone. This region contains muscles that move the skin and nerves that provide sensation.
History and origin
Historical practices like physiognomy and phrenology linked forehead shape to personality traits. Writers such as Samuel R. Wells claimed forehead size indicated intelligence. Ancient texts like Physiognomica associated the forehead with the planet Mars. These traditions suggested that features like height or wrinkles revealed character traits such as honesty or deceit. Modern science rejects these links as unscientific. The term sinciput comes from Latin roots meaning half and head.
What it means
Cultural views often tied forehead appearance to mental capacity. Some traditions believed a high forehead showed honesty or wit. Others thought a low forehead indicated boldness. These ideas belong to pseudoscience and lack empirical support. In physical contexts, the forehead serves as a protective area for the brain. It also functions in non-verbal communication through muscle movements. Headbutting uses this hard bone surface in combat sports.
The science
The forehead relies on the occipitofrontalis, procerus, and corrugator supercilii muscles for movement. These muscles respond to signals from the facial nerve. Sensation comes via the trigeminal nerve, specifically its ophthalmic branch. Blood flows through the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries. Muscle actions create horizontal wrinkles across the forehead. Vertical lines appear between the brows due to other muscles. A unique tactile sensation can occur when objects approach the skin without touching it.
In culture
Art and literature have long referenced the forehead as a marker of status. Phrenology maps claimed specific forehead zones controlled different mental faculties. These theories influenced popular understanding of human nature in past centuries. Contemporary media often highlights forehead wrinkles as signs of age or emotion. The area remains central to expressions of surprise or confusion. Medical discussions focus on anatomy rather than aesthetic judgment.
Questions people ask about Forehead
What defines the boundaries of the forehead?
The forehead is limited by the hairline at the top, the supraorbital ridge at the bottom, and the temporal ridges on the sides. Eyebrows rest on this area but are not considered part of it.
Which muscles move the forehead?
Three main muscles operate here: the occipitofrontalis raises eyebrows, the corrugator supercilii pulls them down and together, and the procerus pulls the center down. All receive signals from the facial nerve.
How does the forehead sense touch?
Sensation travels through the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve splits into superficial and deep divisions within the forehead to cover skin and deeper tissues.
Is forehead size linked to intelligence?
No. Older theories like physiognomy claimed larger foreheads meant higher intellect. Modern science considers these claims pseudoscientific with no factual basis.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Forehead", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFaceShape rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
