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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpDepressor labii inferioris muscle
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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpDepressor labii inferioris muscle

Depressor labii inferioris muscle

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Muscles of facial expression [12:24]
Overview of the muscles responsible for facial expression.
Depressor labii inferioris muscle (Musculus depressor labii inferioris)

Depressor labii inferioris is a paired facial muscle located in the chin region of the face. Due to its quadrangular shape, it is also called quadratus labii inferioris. It belongs to a broad group of muscles of facial expression, called the buccolabial group. Besides depressor labii inferioris, other members of this group are levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, zygomaticus major, levator labii superioris, zygomaticus minor, levator anguli oris, risorius, depressor anguli oris, mentalis, orbicularis oris, incisivus superior and inferior, and buccinator muscles.

The function of this muscle group is to control the position, shape and movements of the lips. The contribution of depressor labii inferioris is limited to the lower lip, where it depresses the lower lip inferolaterally.

Key facts about the depressor labii inferioris muscle
Origin Oblique line of mandible (continuous with platysma muscle)
Insertion Skin and submucosa of lower lip
Action Depresses lower lip inferolaterally
Innervation Mandibular branch of facial nerve (CN VII) 
Blood supply Inferior labial branch of facial artery, mental branch of maxillary artery

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of depressor labii inferioris muscle.

Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

Depressor labii inferioris originates from the oblique line of mandible, between the symphysis menti and mental foramen. From here, the muscle courses superomedially, inserting to the skin and submucosa of lower lip. The mandibular end of depressor labii inferioris is continuous with platysma, while the labial attachment fuses with its counterpart and inferior fibers of the orbicularis oris muscle.

Relations

The inferolateral part of depressor labii inferioris lies deep to depressor anguli oris, while its superolateral portion partially covers the mentalis muscle. Marginal mandibular branches of the facial nerve run deep to the muscle, which is important to be aware of when conducting surgical procedures involving the face. Knowing this fact, surgeons make incisions around 1.5 centimeters inferior to the mandibular border in order to avoid cutting the nerve.

Depressor labii inferioris muscle
Musculus depressor labii inferioris
1/2
Synonyms: Quadratus labii inferioris muscle, Muscle of Aeby , show more...

Innervation

Depressor labii inferioris is innervated by the mandibular branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Vascular supply to depressor labii inferioris comes from the inferior labial branch of facial artery and mental branch of maxillary artery.

Marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve
Ramus marginalis mandibulae nervi facialis
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Synonyms: Marginal mandibular branch, Ramus marginalis mandibulae

Function

Together with the labial part of platysma, depressor labii inferioris is a direct tractor of the lower lip, meaning that it inserts to, and acts directly upon, the lip without an intermediary. When contracting, this muscle pulls the lower lip inferomedially. This action helps in producing the facial expressions associated with sadness, doubt and melancholy.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Brennan, P. A., Mahadevan, V., & Evans, B. T. (2016). Clinical head and neck anatomy for surgeons. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
  • Hiatt, J. L., & Gartner, L. P. (2010). Textbook of head and neck anatomy (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Illustrators:

  • Depressor labii inferioris muscle (Musculus depressor labii inferioris) - Yousun Koh

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