occipitalis muscle occipitalis muscle the occipitalis muscle (occipital belly) is a muscle which covers parts of the skull. some sources consider the occipital muscle to be a distinct muscle. however, terminologia anatomica currently classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle along with the frontalis muscle. occipitalis musclemuscles of the face and neck (occipitalis muscle visible at center right in red)detailsoriginsuperior nuchal line of the occipital bone and mastoid process of the temporal boneinsertiongalea aponeurosisarteryoccipital arterynerveposterior auricular nerve (facial nerve)actionsmoves the scalp backidentifierslatinventer occipitalis musculi occipitofrontalista98a04.1.03.005ta22057fma46758anatomical terms of muscle the occipitalis muscle is thin and quadrilateral in form. it arises from tendinous fibers from the lateral two-thirds of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone and from the mastoid process of the temporal and ends in the epicranial aponeurosis. the occipitalis muscle is innervated by the facial nerve and its function is to move the scalp back. the muscles receives blood from the occipital artery. additional image position of occipitalis muscle (shown in red).