What term describes the complete scalp, including its muscles and skin?

The term that describes the complete scalp, including its muscles and skin, is "epicranium." This anatomical term refers specifically to the upper part of the head, encompassing the skin, muscles, and connective tissue. The epicranium includes the galea aponeurotica, a tendinous structure that acts as a fascia, connecting the frontalis muscle (in the forehead) to the occipitalis muscle (at the back of the head). This term is commonly used in both anatomical contexts and in discussions of hair and scalp treatments.

In contrast, other terms in the list do not accurately reflect the complete anatomy of the scalp as a whole. "Hairshed" pertains more to the shedding of hair, "cranial structure" is a broader term that may refer to various aspects of the skull but does not specifically denote the scalp, and "dermis" is the inner layer of skin beneath the epidermis, not encompassing all the attributes of the scalp, including the muscles and overall structure. Therefore, "epicranium" is the most precise and appropriate term in this context.