Facial Anatomy - Muscles

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Article initiated by:

Alexander L. Ringeisen, MD, Eric Weinlander, MD

All contributors:

Alexander L. Ringeisen, MD, Michael T Yen, MD, Nahyoung Grace Lee, MD, Cat Nguyen Burkat, MD FACS

Assigned editor:

Annie Moreau, MD

Review:

Assigned status Up to Date

 by Michael T Yen, MD on June 29, 2024.

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The muscles of facial expression are derivatives of the 2nd pharyngeal arch and are innervated by facial nerve (CN VII). These muscles originate from bone or fascia and insert on skin to provide the movements of facial expression. The muscles of facial expression are enclosed by, or form part of, the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS).

Orbital Group

The orbital group consists of the orbicularis oculi (3 portions), depressor supercilii, and corrugator supercilii (oblique and transverse heads). These muscles provide movement of the eyelid, eyebrow, and periorbital skin and are innervated by branches of the facial nerve .

Muscle Nerve Action Orbicularis, Orbital Facial nerve (temporal, zygomatic) Forcible eye closure Orbicularis, Palpebral      Preseptal      Pretarsal (Riolan, Horner) Facial nerve (temporal, zygomatic) Gentle eye closure    Blinking    Lacrimal outflow Corrugator supercilii Facial nerve (temporal) Draws eyebrow medially and inferiorly Depressor supercilii Facial nerve (temporal) Depression of eyebrow

Oral Group

The oral group consists of the orbicularis oris, depressor anguli oris, levator anguli oris, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, risorius, depressor labii inferioris, mentalis, and buccinator. These muscles provide movement of the lips and are innervated by branches of the facial nerve.

Muscle Nerve Action Orbicularis oris Facial nerve (buccal and mandibular) Mouth closure, pursing lips Depressor anguli oris Facial nerve (buccal and mandibular) Depresses corners of mouth Levator anguli oris Facial nerve (zygomatic and buccal) Elevates angle of the mouth Zygomaticus major Facial nerve (zygomatic and buccal) Moves angle of mouth superiorly and laterally Zygomaticus minor Facial nerve (zygomatic and buccal) Elevates the upper lip Levator labii superioris Facial nerve (zygomatic and buccal) Elevates the upper lip Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi Facial nerve (zygomatic and buccal) Elevates the upper lip and dilates the nostril Risorius Facial nerve (zygomatic and buccal) Moves angle of mouth laterally Depressor labii inferioris Facial nerve (mandibular) Depresses lower lip Mentalis Facial nerve (mandibular) Protrudes lower lip Buccinator Facial nerve (buccal) Aids in mastication, creates sucking action

Nasal Group

The nasal group consists of the compressor naris and dilator naris of the nasalis, depressor septi, and procerus. These muscles provide movement of the nose and perinasal skin and are innervated by branches of the facial nerve.

Muscle Nerve Action Nasalis, compressor naris Facial nerve (buccal) Nostril compression Nasalis, dilator naris Facial nerve (buccal) Nostril dilation Depressor septi Facial nerve (buccal) Nostril constriction via anterior movement of nasal septum Procerus Facial nerve (temporal and zygomatic) Transverse wrinkling of bridge of nose

Auricular Group

The auricular group consists of the anterior, superior, and posterior auricular muscles. These muscles provide movement of the auricle and are innervated by the temporal and posterior auricular branches of the facial nerve.

Muscle Nerve Action Auricular, anterior Facial nerve (temporal) Moves auricle forward Auricular, superior Facial nerve (posterior auricular) Moves auricle superiorly Auricular, posterior Facial nerve (temporal) Moves auricle posteriorly

Occiptofrontalis Group

The occiptofrontalis, or scalp, group consists of the frontalis, and occipitalis. These muscles provide movement of the eyebrows, forehead, and scalp and are innervated by the temporal and posterior auricular branches of the facial nerve .

Muscle Nerve Action Frontalis Facial nerve (temporal) Elevates eyebrows Wrinkles forehead Occipitalis Facial nerve (posterior auricular) Moves scalp backwards

Neck Group

The neck group consists of the platysma. It provides movement of the skin of the neck and is innervated by the cervical branch of the facial nerve .

Muscle Nerve Action Platysma Facial (cervical) Winkles skin of neck

Muscles of Mastication

The muscles of mastication are derivatives of the first pharyngeal arch and are innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V) . These muscles originate and insert on bone and provide movement of the mandible to enable mastication. The muscles of mastication consist of the temporalis, masseter, medial ptyergoid, and lateral pterygoid .

Muscle Nerve Action Temporalis  Trigeminal nerve (mandibular; deep and temporal) Mandible elevation Masseter Trigeminal nerve (mandibular; masseteric) Mandible elevation Mandible retraction Medial pterygoid Trigeminal nerve (mandibular; nerve to medial pterygoid) Mandible elevation Mandible retraction Mandible side-to-side Lateral pterygoid Trigeminal nerve (mandibular; nerve to lateral pterygoid) Mandible protrusion Mandible side-to-side