01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Over the top, sides and back of your skull.
02 / Structure & organization
Five layers are commonly described: skin, dense connective tissue, epicranial aponeurosis, loose connective tissue and pericranium. Vessels travel through the dense connective tissue, while the loose layer permits the superficial scalp to move over the skull.
03 / Function
It contains hair follicles and many blood vessels.
04 / Mechanism
The scalp has layers containing skin, blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. It supplies growing hair roots with nutrients. Sensory nerves let you notice light touches, such as a hat resting on your head.
Part of a bigger picture
The scalp belongs in our head & face collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
Explore head & face →FOR DEEPER STUDY
Connect structure with function
The scalp is not the skull itself. Its rich vascular supply supports living tissues and also explains why relatively small scalp wounds can bleed substantially.
Check your understanding
Locate the scalp in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.