Forehead: Structure, Function & Diseases

The forehead is part of the front of the head. It begins below the hairline and ends above the eyebrows. It is considered to be telling about a person’s character.

What is the forehead?

The forehead is the part of the head that lies above the eyes and below the hairline. The temples border it on both sides. The medical term is regio frontalis. It protects the frontal lobe of the brain from blows or other impacts. Some idioms are related to the forehead. To frown at someone is to stand up to someone who has a different point of view. If one speaks of a high forehead, it is jokingly referred to a person’s bald head. Figuratively, the part of the body is also named as the front of a building by calling it a forehead.

Anatomy and structure

Anatomically, the forehead consists of the frontal bone (Os frontale), which is a bony protection for the brain and thus especially for the frontal lobe. It attaches to the orbital roof, which is covered by the scalp. The frontal bone also includes the upper part of the eye sockets together with the eyebrows, which in humans have a distinct bulge. As a rule, men have larger eyebrows than women. In the frontal bone itself there is a cavity called the frontal sinus, which belongs to the paranasal sinuses. It is covered with a mucous membrane and occurs twice. The frontal bone can be divided into three parts:

  • The squama frontalis, also called the frontal bone scale, is the frontal part of the hairless forehead.
  • The pars orbitalis contains the upper part of the orbits. They form a pit in the bone structure on both sides, which are the eye sockets provide protection for the delicate organ of vision.
  • The pars nasalis means the upper part of the nasal cavity and therefore the access to the respiratory tract.

The skin of the forehead consists of sweat and sebaceous glands and a network of blood vessels. In it runs the Musculus frontalis, the forehead nerve, which enables the facial expressions of the forehead such as frowning.

Function and tasks

The function of the frontal bone is to protect the brain and, therefore, primarily the frontal lobe. This is responsible for the control of motor skills and social behavior. It ensures that situations are responded to appropriately. Like all sinuses, the frontal sinus has three functions: It warms the inhaled air, serves as a pneumatization chamber and as a resonance chamber for the formation of sounds during speech. The heating, humidification and pre-cleaning of the respiratory air in the cavities in front of the lower airways serves to protect the lungs. Due to their lining with mucous membrane, they are important for the defense against infections. As a pneumatization space, the cavity in the bones ensures that the weight is reduced. In speech, the nasal cavity becomes important when nasals such as the “m” or the “n” are formed. In this case, the soft palate closes the path of the air to the oral cavity by lowering itself to allow the nasal cavity to become a resonating chamber. Since the forehead is exposed, it serves to regulate the heat balance. Through its numerous sweat glands, it provides cooling on hot days. The forehead also serves to communicate with the help of facial expressions. Together with the eyebrows, expressive facial forms are possible, which played a major role in the silent film era or even today in the theater. On the one hand, facial expressions can emphasize what is being said and thus make it more credible. If it stands in contrast to the words, the speaker makes himself untrustworthy, because the reaction to the physical statement is an instinctive one.

Diseases and ailments

Cold sweat on the forehead is not a disease, but as a symptom it can indicate one. In diabetics, for example, it can indicate hypoglycemia, which must be corrected quickly. If dizziness is added, it can indicate problems with the circulation. In this case, it precedes an attack of weakness and should be taken seriously by having the affected person put his feet up or at least sit down. In any case, the occurrence should be clarified with a doctor. Frontal sinusitis or sinusitis frontalis occurs when the drainage of nasal secretions from the sinuses becomes impossible during a cold. If the irritated mucous membranes swell, they can block the way out. Frontal sinusitis is usually noticeable by a throbbing headache and fever.It is mainly triggered by viruses and less frequently by a bacterial infection. Inhalations, sprays that reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane, drinking plenty of fluids and, above all, rest are helpful so that the body can fight the inflammation. In severe cases, antibiotics are also prescribed if the infection is caused by bacteria. It can take up to two weeks for sinusitis to pass. The forehead is also one of the places where pimples and acne prefer to appear. Due to the large number of sebaceous glands, it is predestined to have its skin pores clogged in case of hormonal imbalance. Too much horny material closes the pore and the sebum cannot escape. Red pustules with a pus core are often the result. Improper self-treatment runs the risk of pushing the inflammation deeper into the tissue, thus increasing the problem. A dermatologist can help find the right treatment.