Risiorius Muscle Anatomy The Risorius begins around the parotid gland, a salivary gland in the back of the jaw, and wraps around the platysma muscle, a muscle located in the chest and neck. Smiling and frowning are two of the facial expressions that are created by all of the facial muscles working together. Origin It…
Mentalis Muscle Anatoy The mentalis is a paired central muscle of the lower lip, situated at the tip of the chin. It originates from the mentum and inserts into the chin soft tissue. Origin The origin of a muscle refers to the location in the body in which the muscle begins. The origin of the…
Depressor labii inferioris Muscle Anatomy This muscle arises from the oblique line of the mandible, and inserts on the skin of the lower lip, blending in with the orbicularis oris muscle. At its origin, depressor labii is continuous with the fibers of the platysma muscle. Much yellow fat is intermingled with the fibers of this…
The Depressor Anguli Oris Muscle, also known as the triangularis muscle, is a facial muscle located in the lower part of the face. It is one of the muscles that controls the movement of the mouth and is responsible for certain facial expressions. The term “depressor” refers to its action of pulling down or depressing…
Zygomaticus Major Muscle Anatomy Zygomaticus major is a muscle of facial expression that draws the angle of the mouth superiorly and posteriorly to allow one to smile. It is a thin paired facial muscle that extends diagonally from the zygomatic bone (hence the name) to the angle of the mouth. Along with risorius, it contributes…
Zygomaticus Minor Muscle Anatomy The zygomaticus minor is a muscle of facial expression. It originates from zygomatic bone and continues with orbicularis oculi on the lateral face of the levator labii superioris and then inserts into the outer part of the upper lip. Like all muscles of facial expression, it is innervated by the facial…
Levator anguli oris Muscle Anatomy The levator anguli oris (caninus) is a facial muscle of the mouth arising from the canine fossa, immediately below the infraorbital foramen. It elevates the angle of the mouth medially. The buccal branches of the facial nerve supply the levator anguli oris. Origin The levator anguli oris arises from the…
Levator Labii Superioris Muscle Anatomy Origin The levator labii superioris muscle has three points of origin that blend and passes into the upper lip. All three origins attach together within the upper lip and at the time of contraction, raise the upper lip. A strap of the angular head attaches within the ala of the…
Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi Muscle Anatomy The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle is translated from a Latin word that means “Lifter of both upper lips and wing of the nose “. It has the longest name of any muscle in the animal. Historically known as Otto’s muscle, it dilates the nostril and elevates…
Orbicularis Oris Muscle Anatomy Orbicularis oris muscle is a complex and multi-layered muscle that attaches through a thin, superficial musculo-aponeurotic system to the dermis of the upper lip and lower lip and serves as an attachment site for many other facial muscles around the oral region. Origin It originates from the superior incisivus from the maxilla,…
