Clinical anatomy/clinical questions : head and neck: scalp : Why deep transverse wounds of scalp tend to gape, but not longitudinal wound?

 For learning anatomy, please visit :

My youtube channel :  @easyhumanatomy73

My website : http://easyhumananatomy.com

My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/easyhumanatomy/

My blog: http://www.easyhumanatomy73.blogspot.com

My blog: http://www.microscopicanatomybd.blogspot.com

Why deep transverse wounds of scalp tend to gape, but not longitudinal wound?

 In deep wounds of scalp if the epicranial aponeurosis is cut transversly the wounds tend to gape because the aponeurosis is under tension in anteroposterior direction due to the tone of occipitofrontalis muscle. If the wound cuts longitudinally along the direction of fibers of the aponeurosis which is directed antereoposteriorly, so it will not create large gape.