Learning objectives:
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
The muscles of the facial expression are a group of approximately 20 superficial skeletal muscles of the face and scalp which originate from the bony and fibrous structures of the skull and insert into the skin. These attachments give them an important role in showing emotions through facial expressions.
According to their location, these muscles are divided into 5 different groups:
This video tutorial will provide you with a detailed description of these muscles, including their attachments, innervation and functions.
Now that you have watched the videos about the muscles of facial expression, test your acquired knowledge by taking our quiz that focuses specifically on these muscles.
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Download the following PDF and learn the muscles of the facial expression!
You can now observe each muscle in detail (from superior to inferior) with our image gallery.
Definition | A group of 20 skeletal muscles located just underneath the skin of the face and scalp. |
Muscles |
Buccolabial group: levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, risorius, levator anguli oris, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, depressor labii inferioris, depressor anguli oris, mentalis, orbicularis oris and buccinator Nasal group: nasalis, procerus Orbital group: orbicularis oculi, corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii Epicranial group: occipitofrontalis, temporoparietalis Auricular group: auricularis anterior, auricularis posterior, auricularis superior |
Innervation | Facial nerve (CN VII) |
Blood supply | Facial artery |
Function | Producing movements of the face (e.g. smiling, grinning, frowning) |
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