The surgical anatomy of the scalp

The scalp denotes the soft tissue that covers the cranial vault. It is a multi-layered structure with a good blood supply and a rich cutaneous innervation. Scalp injuries including accidental lacerations are commonly encountered clinical problems in A & E departments. A proper understanding of the anatomy of the scalp is required for the appropriate management of such injuries, as it is for the design of craniectomies in neurosurgical practice.Full-thickness scalp flaps are frequently used in reconstructive surgery to provide soft tissue cover for facial defects. A proper appreciation of the blood supply and innervation of the scalp is a prerequisite to the design of such flaps.