Muscles of Face

1. MUSCLES OF FACE
By: Dr Prasanna Kumar P

2. CONTENTS
• INTODUCTION
• EPICRANIAL MUSCLE GROUP
• CIRCUMORBITAL AND PALPEBRAL MUSCLE GROUP
• NASAL MUSCLE GROUP
• BUCCOLABIAL MUSCLE GROUP
• REFERENCES

3. INTRODUCTION
• Facial muscles are associated with the orbital margins and eyelids, external
nose and nostrils, lips, cheeks and mouth, pinna, scalp and cervical skin, and
collectively are often called, ‘muscles of facial expression’.
• Their organization differs from that of muscles in other regions of the body
because there is no deep membranous fascia beneath the skin of the face
and many small slips of muscle that are attached to the facial skeleton insert
directly into the skin.
• The primary function is to act as sphincters and dilators of the facial orifices
and that the function of facial expression has developed secondarily.
• Embryologically, they are derived from the mesenchyme of the second
branchial arch and are innervated by the facial nerve.
• The muscles of facial expression may be subdivided into epicranial,
circumorbital and palpebral, nasal, and buccolabial groups

4. EPICRANIAL MUSCLE GROUP
• Epicranial muscle group consists of
occipitofrontalis muscle.
• Occipitofrontalis covers the dome of
the skull from the highest nuchal lines
to the eyebrows.
• It is a broad, musculofibrous layer and
consists of four muscular parts, two
occipital and two frontal, connected
by the epicranial aponeurosis.
• Origin: Skin of the eyebrow and root of
the nose.
• Insertion: Epicranial aponeurosis.

5. • Vascular supply: Occipitofrontalis is
supplied by branches of the superficial
temporal branch of external carotid
artery, ophthalmic branch of internal
carotid artery, posterior auricular and
occipital branch of external carotid
artery.
• Nerve supply: The occipital part of
occipitofrontalis is supplied by the
posterior auricular branch of the facial
nerve.
• The frontal part is supplied by the
temporal branches of the facial nerve.

6. • Actions: Acting from above, the frontal
parts raise the eyebrows (e.g. as in
expressions of surprise or horror).
• Acting from below, the frontal parts draw
the scalp forwards, throwing the
forehead into transverse wrinkles.
• The occipital parts draw the scalp
backwards.
• Acting alternately, the occipital and
frontal parts can move the entire scalp
backwards and forwards.

7. CIRCUMORBITAL AND PALPEBRAL MUSCLE
GROUP
• The circumorbital and palpebral group of muscles are orbicularis
oculi, corrugator supercilii and levator palpebrae superioris.

8. Orbicularis oculi
• Orbicularis oculi is a broad, flat, elliptical
muscle that surrounds the circumference of
the orbit.
• It has orbital, palpebral and lacrimal parts,
and a small ciliary bundle.
• The orbital part arises from the nasal
component of the frontal bone, the frontal
process of the maxilla.
• The palpebral part arises from the medial
palpebral ligament.
• The lacrimal part arises from the upper part
of the lacrimal crest of the lacrimal bone.
• Insertion: Subcutaneous tissue of eyebrow,
lateral palpebral raphae.

9. • Vascular supply: Orbicularis oculi is supplied by
branches of the facial, superficial temporal,
maxillary branch of external carotid artery and
ophthalmic branch of internal carotid artery.
• Innervation: Orbicularis oculi is supplied by
temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial
nerve.
• Actions: Orbicularis oculi is the sphincter
muscle of the eyelids.
• Contraction of the upper orbital fibres
produces vertical furrowing above the bridge of
the nose, which reduces the amount of light
entering the eyes.

10. • The palpebral portion can be contracted to close
the lids gently as in sleep, or reflexly in blinking.
• The lacrimal part of the muscle may aid
drainage of tears by dilating the lacrimal sac.
• It may also influence pressure gradients within
the lacrimal gland and ducts.
• When the entire orbicularis oculi muscle
contracts, the skin is thrown into folds that
radiate from the lateral angle of the eyelids.
Such folds, when permanent, cause wrinkles in
middle age (the so-called ‘crow’s feet’).

11. Corrugator supercilii
• Corrugator supercilii is a small pyramidal
muscle located at the medial end of each
eyebrow.
• Insertion: Subcutaneus tissue of eyebrow in
the middle.
• Vascular supply: Corrugator supercilii is
supplied by branches from adjacent
arteries, mainly from the superficial
temporal and ophthalmic arteries.
• Innervation: Corrugator supercilii is
innervated by temporal branches of the
facial nerve.

12. • Actions: Corrugator supercilii
cooperates with orbicularis oculi to
draw the eyebrows medially and
downwards to shield the eyes in
bright sunlight.
• It is also involved in frowning.

13. LEVATOR PALPEBRAE SUPERIORIS
• Levator palpebrae superioris is a thin,
triangular muscle that arises from the inferior
aspect of the lesser wing of the sphenoid.
• Insertion: Medial margin attaches to medial
palpebral ligament. Lateral margin attaches to
whitnall’s tubercle on zygomatic bone.
• Vascular supply: Levator palpebrae superioris
receives its arterial supply from the ophthalmic
artery.
• Innervation: Levator palpebrae superioris is
innervated by a branch of the superior division
of the oculomotor nerve.

14. • Actions: Levator palpebrae superioris
elevates the upper eyelid which is
opposed by the palpebral part of
orbicularis oculi.
• The palpebral apertures are widened in
states of fear or excitement as a result of
increased sympathetic activity.
• Lesions of the sympathetic supply result in
drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis), as
seen in Horner’s syndrome

15. NASAL MUSCLE GROUP
• The nasal muscle group, which consists of procerus, nasalis and
depressor septi.

16. Procerus
• Procerus arises from a fascial aponeurosis
attached to the periosteum covering the
lower part of the nasal bone.
• It is inserted into the glabellar skin over the
lower part of the forehead between the
eyebrows.
• Vascular supply: Procerus is supplied mainly
by branches from the facial artery.
• Innervation: Procerus is supplied by
temporal and zygomatic branches from the
facial nerve.

17. • Actions: Procerus draws down the medial
angle of the eyebrow and produces
transverse wrinkles over the bridge of the
nose.
• It is active in frowning and ‘concentration’,
and helps to reduce the glare of bright
sunlight.
• It is a common target in non-surgical facial
rejuvenation techniques, using botulinum
toxin.

18. Nasalis
• Nasalis consists of transverse and alar
components.
• Its fibres pass upwards that merges
with its counterpart across the nose
bridge with the aponeuroses of
procerus, and with fibres from levator
labii superioris alaeque nasi.
• Origin: Anterior surface of maxilla near
the nasal notch.
• Insertion: It inserts into alar cartilage.

19. • Vascular supply: Nasalis is supplied by
the facial artery and maxillary artery
branch of external carotid artery.
• Innervation: Nasalis is supplied by the
buccal branch of the facial nerve. It may
also be supplied by the zygomatic branch
of the facial nerve.
• Actions: The transverse part compresses
the nasal aperture at the junction of the
vestibule and the nasal cavity.
• The alar parts assist in widening the
nares and in elongating the nose.

20. Depressor septi
• Depressor septi lies immediately deep to
the mucous membrane of the upper lip.
• Origin: Incisive fossa on maxilla.
• Insertion: Nasal septum.
• Vascular supply: Depressor septi is
supplied by superior labial branch of
facial artery.
• Innervation: Depressor septi is
innervated by buccal branch of facial
nerve.
• Action: Dilation of anterior nasal
aperture

21. BUCCOLABIAL MUSCLE GROUP
• The shape of the mouth and the posture of the lips are controlled by
a complex three-dimensional assembly of muscular slips.
• These include elevators of the upper lip (levator labii superioris
alaeque nasi, levator labii superioris, zygomaticus major and minor,
levator anguli oris and risorius); depressors of the lower lip (depressor
labii inferioris, depressor anguli oris, and mentalis); a compound
sphincter (orbicularis oris) and buccinator.

22. Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
• Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi arises
from the upper part of the frontal process
of the maxilla.
• Insertion: Ala of the nose and skin of upper
lip.
• Vascular supply: Levator labii superioris
alaeque nasi is supplied by the facial artery
and the maxillary artery.
• Innervation: Levator labii superioris
alaeque nasi is innervated by zygomatic
and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
• Actions: The Levator labii superioris
alaeque nasi elevates the upper lip and
increases the curvature of the top of the
nasolabial furrow.
• It also dilates the nostril.

23. Levator labii superioris
• Levator labii superioris arises from the maxilla
and zygomatic bone above the infraorbital
foramen.
• Insertion: Lateral side of skin of upper lip.
• Vascular supply: Levator labii superioris is
supplied by the facial artery and the maxillary
artery.
• Innervation: Levator labii superioris is
innervated by the zygomatic and buccal
branches of the facial nerve.

24. • Actions: Levator labii superioris
elevates and everts the upper lip.

25. Zygomaticus major
• Zygomaticus major arises from the
zygomatic bone.
• Insertion: Angle of the mouth.
• Vascular supply: Zygomaticus major is
supplied by the superior labial branch of
the facial artery.
• Innervation: Zygomaticus major is
innervated by the zygomatic and buccal
branches of the facial nerve.

26. • Actions: Zygomaticus major
draws the angle of the mouth
upwards and laterally, as in
laughing.

27. Zygomaticus minor
• Zygomaticus minor arises from the
lateral surface of the zygomatic bone.
• Insertion: Skin of upper lip.
• Vascular supply: Zygomaticus minor is
supplied by the superior labial branch
of the facial artery.
• Innervation: Zygomaticus minor is
innervated by the zygomatic and buccal
branches of the facial nerve.

28. • Actions: Zygomaticus minor elevates
the upper lip, exposing the maxillary
teeth.
• It also assists in elevating the
nasolabial furrow.

29. Levator anguli oris
• Levator anguli oris arises from the
canine fossa of the maxilla, just below
the infraorbital foramen, and inserts
into and below the angle of the mouth.
• Vascular supply: Levator anguli oris is
supplied by the superior labial branch of
the facial artery and the infraorbital
branch of the maxillary artery.
• Innervation: Levator anguli oris is
innervated by the zygomatic and buccal
branches of the facial nerve.

30. • Actions: Levator anguli oris
raises the angle of the mouth in
smiling, and contributes to the
depth and contour of the
nasolabial furrow.

31. Mentalis
• Mentalis is a conical muscle lying at
the side of the frenulum of the lower
lip.
• The fibres arise from the incisive fossa
of the mandible and descend to attach
to the skin of the chin.
• Vascular supply: Mentalis is supplied
by the inferior labial branch of the
facial artery and the mental branch of
the maxillary artery.
• Innervation: Mentalis is innervated by
the mandibular branch of the facial
nerve.

32. • Actions: Mentalis raises the lower lip,
wrinkling the skin of the chin.
• It raises the base of the lower lip and
therefore helps in protruding and
everting the lower lip in drinking and
also in expressing doubt or disdain.

33. Depressor labii inferioris
• Depressor labii inferioris is a
quadrilateral muscle that arises from
the oblique line of the mandible,
between the symphysis menti and the
mental foramen.
• Insertion: Skin of lower lip.
• Vascular supply: Depressor labii
inferioris is supplied by the inferior
labial branch of the facial artery and
the mental branch of the maxillary
artery.
• Innervation: Depressor labii inferioris is
innervated by the mandibular branch
of the facial nerve.

34. • Actions: Depressor labii inferioris draws
the lower lip downwards and a little
laterally in masticatory activity.
• It contributes to the expressions of
sorrow and doubt.

35. Depressor anguli oris
• Depressor anguli oris has a long, linear
origin from the posterior part of oblique
line of the mandible.
• Insertion: Angle of mouth.
• Vascular supply: Depressor anguli oris is
supplied by the inferior labial branch of the
facial artery and the mental branch of the
maxillary artery.
• Innervation: Depressor anguli oris is
innervated by the buccal and mandibular
branches of the facial nerve.

36. • Actions: Depressor anguli oris draws the
angle of the mouth downwards and laterally
in opening the mouth and in expressing
sadness.

37. Buccinator
• The muscle of the cheek, buccinator, is
a thin quadrilateral muscle that
occupies the interval between the
maxilla and the mandible.
• It is the main muscle of cheek.
• It is actually not a muscle of facial
expression.
• Origin: Pterygomandibular raphae.
• Insertion: Upper lip and lower lip.

38. • Vascular supply: Buccinator is supplied by
branches from the facial artery and the buccal
branch of the maxillary artery.
• Innervation: Buccinator is supplied by the
buccal branch of the facial nerve.
• Actions: Buccinator compresses the cheek
against the teeth and gums during mastication,
and assists the tongue in directing food
between the teeth.
• When the cheeks have been distended with air,
the buccinators expel it between the lips, an
activity important when playing wind
instruments, and which accounts for the name
of the muscle (Latin buccinator = trumpeter).

39. Orbicularis oris
• Orbicularis oris is so named because it
was once assumed that the oral fissure
was surrounded by a series of
complete ellipses of striated muscle
that acted together in the manner of a
sphincter.
• It originates from the incisive fossa of
maxilla and mandible.
• Insertion: Angle of mouth and skin of
lips.
• Vascular supply: Orbicularis oris is
supplied by superior and inferior labial
branch of facial artery.

40. • Innervation: Orbicularis oris is
innervated by buccal branch of
facial nerve.
• Actions: Closure of lips
• Protrusion of lips
• Compresses lips against teeth
and gums which helps in
mastication.

41. Risorius
• Risorius is a highly variable muscle that
ranges from one or more fascicles to a
wide, thin, superficial fan.
• It originates from parotid fascia.
• Insertion: Angle of mouth.
• Vascular supply: Risorius is supplied
mainly by the superior labial branch of
the facial artery.

42. • Nerve supply: Risorius is supplied by
buccal branches of the facial nerve.
• Actions: Risorius pulls the corner of
the mouth laterally in numerous
facial activities, including grinning
and laughing.

43. REFERENCES
• GRAY’S ANATOMY – THE ANATOMICAL BASIS OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
41ST EDITION
• BD CHAURASIA – HUMAN ANATOMY VOLUME 3 HEAD, NECK AND
BRAIN
• BD CHAURASIA – HANDBOOK OF GENERAL ANATOMY 4TH EDITION
• F. NETTER – ATLAS OF HUMAN ANATOMY 5TH EDITION
• ANAND’S HUMAN ANATOMY FOR DENTAL STUDENTS 3RD EDITION