Subcutaneous fat of the head
Tela subcutanea capitis
Integumentary (skin)Fat & fasciaHead
- What it is
- The fatty layer (hypodermis) under the skin of the face and scalp. On the scalp it is a dense fibro-fatty layer carrying the vessels; in the face it forms discrete fat compartments, including the buccal fat pad in the cheek.
- Function
- Pads and shapes the face, insulates, and carries the blood vessels and nerves to the skin.
- Size
- About 2–6 mm thick on the scalp; facial compartments up to ~1–2 cm (buccal pad ~10 ml)
- Clinical note
- Facial fat compartments shrink and descend with age, which is a major cause of hollow temples, tear troughs and jowls.