Al-Farabi University College ‫كـلية الفـــارابي الجامــعة‬

Department of Dentistry ‫قسم طـــب االسنان‬

Second Stage ‫المرحلة الثــانية‬
Subject: anatomy ‫ التشريح‬:‫المــادة‬

The Muscles of Facial Expression

Prepared by
‫زهراء فاضل اجبير فعيل‬

Supervisor:
‫الدكتور محمد هالل‬
Introduction

The facial muscles are striated muscles that attach to the bones of the skull
to perform important functions for daily life including mastication and facial
expressions. These muscles are located medially to the ears, superior to the
mandible, and inferior to coronal suture of the skull. Deficits in these
muscles can lead to significant impairment of daily function.
The muscles of the face are embedded in the superficial fascia, and most
arise from the bones of the skull and are inserted into the skin (Fig.1). The
orifices of the face, namely, the orbit, nose, and mouth, are guarded by the
eyelids, nostrils, and lips, respectively. It is the function of the facial muscles
to serve as sphincters or dilators of these structures. A secondary function of
the facial muscles is to modify the expression of the face. All the muscles of
the face are developed from the second pharyngeal arch and are supplied by
the facial nerve.
The facial muscles also known as mimetic muscles innervated by the cranial
nerve VII (facial nerve). Two masticatory muscles (masseter, temporalis)
that are supplied by the motoric portion of the cranial nerve V3 (mandibular
nerve) also contribute to the contour of the face. The mimetic muscles (also
known as skin muscles) generally originate from underlying bone surfaces
and insert to the skin of the face or intermingle with other facial muscles.
The facial muscles serve 2 major functions for the body: mastication and
facial expressions.
These muscles are different from other muscle organization in having lack
of deep membranous fascia beneath the skin of the face.

Fig.1 muscles of facial expression

 There are several groups of muscles that associate with facial expression:
From top to bottom forehead muscle, orbital group, nasal group,
auricular group, oral group, neck muscle.
Forehead Muscle
There is one muscle of facial expression in the forehead, the frontalis muscle
raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead. The frontalis muscle is
actually part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, which is two muscle bellies,The
occipitofrontalis is composed of two muscle bellies: frontalis and occipitalis,
which are attached and encased by dense connective tissue called the
epicranial aponeurosis . The occipital part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
moves the scalp forwards, and the frontalis part lifts the brows and moves
the anterior scalp backward. When the frontalis muscle contracts, the
vertical fibers pull the skin of the eyebrows upward.
The frontalis muscle plays a significant role in our day-to-day as the only
muscle that raises the eyebrows, the frontalis muscle originates from the
second pharyngeal arch, which forms between the third and eighth weeks of
development. It is necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal
communication. The antagonist muscles to the frontalis muscle are the
procerus muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the orbicularis
oculi muscle.

fig.2
 Table.1

Muscle Origin Insertion Action

Frontalis muscle Skin and superficial Epicranial Moves scalp on skull

fascia of eyebrows aponeurosis and raises eyebrows

Blood supply of frontalis muscle

The frontalis muscle receives its blood supply from branches of both the
internal and external carotid arteries. The blood supply to the frontalis
muscle comes from the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery,
laterally, and the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries medially.The
superficial temporal artery arises from the external carotid artery.
The supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries arise from the internal
carotid artery via the ophthalmic artery.

FIG.3 Pathway of the frontal branch of the superficial FIG.4 Pathway of the supratrochlear and supraorbital artery
temporal artery entering the frontalis muscle through the corrugator supercilii and into the frontalis muscle.

Venous drainage
The main venous drainage occurs between three veins: the supratrochlear
vein being most medial, then the intermediate supraorbital vein, and finally,
the lateral frontal vein. The three further connect through a transverse vein
that runs superior to the orbit, appropriately named the transverse
supraorbital vein.The transverse supraorbital vein connects medially to the
angular vein, which eventually drains into the ophthalmic vein and
cavernous sinus.
Nerve Supply
The frontalis is innervated by anterior branches of temporal branch of the
facial nerve.
Lymphatic drainage
Lymph vessels in the anterior part of the scalp and forehead drain into the
submandibular lymph nodes.

Orbital group
The orbital group includes the orbicularis oculi, the corrugator supercilia, and
the depressor supercilia. So the orbicularis oris isn’t the only muscle shaped
like a donut. a pair of orbicularis oris muscles encircling the eyelids. These
muscles help close the eyes, and again, these are sphincter muscles. The
corrugator muscle pulls the eyebrows medially in most people. Finally, there
is the depressor supercilia, which are thought to assist in moving and lowering
the eyebrows.

Orbicularis oculi
The orbicularis oculi consists of three parts: the orbital, the palpebral, and the lacrimal
part. The orbital part of the orbicularis oculi lies circulary around the orbital opening. The
palpebral part is situated in the upper and lower eyelids. And the lacrimal part of
the orbicularis oculi lies the most profoundly.

Innervation The temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve

Blood supply Branches of the facial, superficial
temporal, maxillary and ophthalmic arteries.¹
.
 Corrugator supercilia

The corrugator supercilii is a small, narrow, pyramidal muscle close to the

eye. It is located at the medial end of the eyebrow, beneath the frontalis and
just above orbicularis oculi muscle. The name corrugator supercilii meaning
wrinkler of the eyebrows.

Innervation The temporal branch of the facial nerve

Blood supply The ophthalmic artery and branches from the superficial
temporal artery

Muscles Origin insertion Action

Orbicularis from the front surface Orbital part: Closes
oculi of the orbital margin, Skin of orbital region, eyelids tightly
which is the rim of the lateral palpebral raphe, Palpebral part: Closes
eye socket. The superior and inferior eyelids gently
orbicularis oculi muscle tarsal plates Deep palpebral
part: Compresses lacrimal
sac

depressor originates from the inserts into the skin The main action provided
supercilii medial orbital rim, from below the eyebrow and by the depressor
the fascia covering the in the intercanthal supercilii is the
lower part of the nasal region, on the medial depression of the eyebrow.
bone. side of the bony orbit.

corrugator the medial part of the penetrates the frontalis pulls the skin of the
supercilii superciliary arch. and orbicularis oculi eyebrow downward and
muscles and inserts medially and produces
into the skin . vertical wrinkles of the
forehead.
 Nasal group

The nasal group of facial muscles are associated with movements of the nose,
and the skin around it. There are three muscles in this group, and they are all
innervated by the facial nerve. They serve little importance in humans.

The muscles of the nose include the nasalis, the depressor septi nasi (DSN),
and the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN) muscles. The LLSAN
originates from the medial canthal tendon and from the periosteum of the
nasofrontal process of the maxilla. The LLSAN has two portions with the
medial slip inserting into the nasal wings and the lateral slip inserting into the
upper lip. The thin and flat nasalis muscle originates from the maxilla and
ascends anteriorly to the dorsum of the nose .The nasalis muscle narrows the
nostrils and compresses the nasal vestibule while the LLSAN elevates the
nasal wings (dilator of nasal openings). The DSN arises from the incisive
fossae of the maxilla and/or from the orbicularis oris muscle. It ascends
towards the septum to insert in the medial crura of the lower lateral cartilages).
The DSN pulls the nasal tip downwards.

Procerus
The most cephalic muscle of the nose is the procerus, which arises from the
glabellar area, extends caudally in a vertical fashion, and joins with the
wing-shaped nasalis transverse muscle covering the caudal portion of the
nasal bones. The main function of the procerus is to move the eyebrows
caudally; it can create wrinkles over the cephalic portion of the nose in aging
patients. Ostensibly, removal of this muscle may elongate the nose

Fig : Dissected periorbital mimetic muscles in a fresh

cadaveric head: 1 = corrugator supercilii; 2 = procerus; 3
= medial canthal tendon; 4 = lateral canthal tendon; 5 =
orbital part of orbicularis oculi
Nasalis
The nasalis muscle has 2 components:
(1) the transverse nasalis m. or compressor nasi and
(2) the pars alaris (alar nasalis).
The transverse part of the muscle spans the dorsum of the nose, covering
the upper lateral cartilages. This muscle, also called pars
transversa or compressor nasi, arises from the lateral cephalic portion of the
subpiriform crescent. The pars transversa joins with the procerus muscle and
the opposite muscle in the midline to form the nasalis-procerus aponeurosis.
The pars transversa compresses and elongates the nose, contracts the
nostrils, and narrows the vestibules. Although removal of the pars transversa
may shorten the nose, it is inadvisable since removal may cause skin
dimpling. Removal of the pars transversa muscle may also expose any
imperfections in the frame because it eliminates the blanket effect that this
muscle lends the nose

Fig : Lateral view of dissected mimetic musculature of

midface and lower face in a formalin-fixated cadaveric
head: 1 = nasalis; 2 = levator labii superioris alaeque nasi;
3 = depressor septi nasi; 4 = orbicularis oris; 5 = levator
The second component of the nasalis labiimuscle,
superioris; 6 =pars
the zygomaticus
alaris major
(alar =levator
nasalis)anguli oris;
8 = facial vein; 9 = modiolus; 10 = depressor anguli oris; 11
arises from the crescent origin of the=maxilla and is more lateral and slightly
depressor labii inferioris; 12 = mentalis
caudal to the bony origin of the depressor septi nasi muscles. The alar
portion partially covers the lateral crus of the lower lateral cartilages and
assists in dilatation of the nares. Damage to this muscle may produce
collapse of the external nasal valve. In ethnic noses, the pars alaris is much
more developed and has a more important function
Depressor septi nasi muscle
This muscle plays a cardinal role in the function of the nose. It arises from
the maxilla (just below the nasal spine), sometimes fuses with some fibers of
the orbicularis oris muscle, extends along the columella base, and attaches to
the footplate. Occasionally, fibers of this muscle extend to the tip of the
nose; some believe that these muscle fibers extend to the membranous
septum. The depressor septi nasi muscle depresses the nasal tip on animation
and alters air turbulence. Additionally, it has aesthetic importance because
its contraction would narrow the labiocolumellar angle. Release of this
muscle would not only eliminate the depressor effect on the tip, but would
also cause slight ptosis of the upper lip, which may or may not be beneficial
depending on the patient's tooth show. All of these muscles are innervated
by the VIIth cranial nerve.
Blood supply of nasal group muscles :
Nasalis muscles supply by: The superior labial branch of the facial artery.
The infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.
procerus supply by: The angular and lateral nasal branches of the facial
artery.

Depressor septi nasi :The superior labial branch of the facial artery
Muscles Origin Insertion Action
Procerus The fascia overlying The inferior skin of Contraction of this muscle
the inferior section of the forehead on either side of assists in drawing the medial
the nasal bone and the aspect of the eyebrows
the superior section of midline between the eyebrow inferiorly. This contributes to
the expression of frowning.²
the lateral nasal s.
cartilage.²

Depressor The incisive fossa of The nasalis muscle and nasal Contraction of this
septi nasi the maxilla is the site septum.¹ muscle widens the nasal
of origination of this aperture
muscle.¹
Nasalis The nasalis muscle Insertion occurs at Compression of the nasal
originates from an aponeurosis over bridge Depression of
the incisive fossa of the bridge of the nose (which the corners of the nostrils
the maxilla.² blends with counterpart), as Depression of the tip of
well as at the skin around the nose
the alar part of the nose.

Orbital group muscles

Muscles of Lip region

The main muscle (and also the main component) of the lips is the orbicularis
oris muscle (OOM). This muscle encircles the oral fissure (rostral opening
of mouth), thus closes the lips when activated. Full activation of the muscle
will purse the lips. Fibers of different perioral muscles blend with those of
the orbicularis oris, or insert in the “modiolus”, a tendinous structure
located lateral to the commissure of the lips.

Orbicularis oris
Innervation:The buccal branch of the facial nerve
Blood supply: The superior and inferior labial branches of the facial artery.¹
Muscles above the Upper lip
Muscles include the zygomaticus major and minor, the levator labii
superioris (LLS), the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi ( LLSAN), as
well as the levator anguli oris (LAO).

The different levator muscles pull the upper lip and the corner of the mouth
upwards, while the zygomatic muscles have a diagonal action. The LLS is a
rectangular muscle originating from the infraorbital rim and converging into
the upper lip between the lateral slip of the LLSAN and the zygomaticus
minor. The LLS elevates and everts the upper lip. Recent research has shown
that deep fibers of the LLS attach to the vestibular skin of the nasal vestibule,
thus widening the nostril when activated. The LLSAN is a slim long muscle
with two bellies.

Zygomaticus major
InnervationThe zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supplyThe superior labial branch of the facial artery.¹
Zygomaticus minor
Innervation The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply The superior labial branch of the facial artery.²
Levator labii superioris (also known as the quadratus labii superioris)
Innervation:The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve
Blood supply :The facial artery and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary
artery
Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
Innervation:The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply:The facial artery and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary
artery.²
Levator anguli oris
Innervation:The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply:The superior labial branch of the facial artery and
the infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.²

Muscles Below the Lower lip

The muscles of the lower lip include the depressor labii inferioris (DLI) and the
depressor anguli oris (DAO). Both muscles pull the lower lip and the corner of the
mouth downwards. The DLI courses upwards from the buccal cortex below the
canine to the lower lip. The DLI is located medially and deep to the DAO. The latter
has a triangular, fan shape with a long, linear origin from the inferior mandibular
border lateral to the chin. The DAO runs superficially to the DLI towards the angle of
the mouth and converges into the modiolus but also interlaces with adjacent muscles.
The medial or lateral borders of the DAO also form the labiomandibular fold that
increases with age. Recently, described medial fibers of the DAO passing deep to the
DLI and often intermingling with fibers of the incisivus labii inferioris (ILI). The ILI
has been described as an accessory muscle to the OOM .The ILI arises from the
incisive fossa lateral to the mentalis muscle and courses laterally upwards to blend
with the OOM and/or the buccinator. The ILI draws the corner of the lips
medialwards, the muscles of the lips can be divided into two classes,
The muscles of dilatation and the muscles of constriction. The constrictor of the
mouth is the pars labialis orbicularis oris.
 Depressor labii inferioris
Innervation:The mandibular branch of the facial nerve.¹
Blood supply: The inferior labial branch of the facial artery and the mental
branch of the maxillary artery.

Fig; Lateral view of dissected facial muscles

in a formalin-fixated cadaveric head: 1 =
orbicularis oris; 2 = levator anguli oris; 3 =
zygomaticus minor; 4 = zygomaticus major;
5 = parotid duct; 6 = masseter; 7 = risorius; 8
= modiolus; 9 = depressor anguli oris; 10 =
depressor labii inferioris; 11 = facial artery

Muscles of Chin region

The paired mentalis muscle is the muscle of the chin. It is the only elevator
of the lower lip and it provides the major vertical support for the lower lip.
The mentalis muscles originate from the incisive fossae that are located
below the anterior mandibular teeth. The site of origin corresponds with the
labiomental fold. The fibers of the mentalis descend inferiorly to attach to
the skin of the chin. The medial fibers of the two muscle bellies may cross to
the contralateral side forming a dome-shaped chin prominence and may
increase the rigidity of the chin. The lateral fibers of the mentalis muscle
may intermingle with the DLI and the upper fibers with the orbicularis oris.
Mentalis
Innervation: The mandibular branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply: The inferior labial branch of the facial artery and the mental
branch of the maxillary artery.
Cheek region
The muscles of the upper cheek include the zygomaticus major and
zygomaticus minor. Both muscles originate from the outer surface of the
zygomatic bone. They run anteroinferiorly towards the angle of the mouth
and the upper lip, respectively. Upon contraction, they pull the upper lip up-
and backwards (laughing).
The zygomaticus minor arises from the lateral surface of the zygomatic
bone posterior to the zygomaticomaxillary suture.The zygomaticus minor is
located immediately below the orbicularis oculi muscle, often blending with
its lateral fibers. It runs forward and downward to insert in the upper lip.
The zygomaticus major originates at the lateral zygoma and attaches to the
angle of the mouth. Occasionally, the two zygomaticus muscles cannot be
distinguished upon cadaveric dissection, or the zygomaticus minor is absent.
The zygomaticus major superior bundle inserted above the corner of the
mouth, the inferior bundle inserted into the modiolus, but occasionally also
presented a dermal attachment. reported division of the zygomaticus major
into two parts at the level of the buccal fat pad in 40%. While the superior
band demonstrated the “normal” course, the lower muscular band ran more
inferiorly and mostly blended with the DAO or risorius muscles.
The buccinator is a relatively broad muscle and is activated, for example,
when blowing the cheeks. The buccinator originates from the
pterygomandibular raphe but also from bone surfaces of the posterior
maxilla and mandible (although the expression of the pterygomandibular
raphe is highly variable or completely absent; The buccinator extends
forward to the corner of the mouth and its fibers may blend with those of the
orbicularis oris or may cross the midline to merge with contralateral fibers.
distinguished four muscle bands of the buccinator. The fourth and most
inferior band (found in 85% of the cadaveric specimens) ran continuously
from one side to the other and was always located superior to the mental
foramina.
Innervation: The buccal branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply The buccal branch of the maxillary artery.
The risorius is a narrow muscle overlying the buccinator. It originates from
the fascia of the masseter muscle and runs horizontally forward to the corner
of the mouth, joining the DAO.
Innervation: The buccal branch of the facial nerve.²
Blood supply: The superior labial branch of the facial artery.²
 Muscles Origin Insertion Action
Orbicular The medial aspect of the The skin surrounding the The contraction of this
is oris maxilla and mandible and lips is the insertion site of muscle puckers the lips and closes the mouth.
the modiolus.¹ the orbicularis oris
muscle.¹
Buccinato The outer surfaces of The orbicularis Contraction of this
rs the alveolar processes of oris muscle muscle compresses the cheeks against the
the mandible and maxilla, and modiolus act as the teeth (this action is especially useful
and the pterygo- insertion site for this in mastication and whistling
mandibular raphe. muscle.
L lvator The canine fossa of The modiolus and angle of Contraction of this
anguli oris the maxilla.¹ the mouth. muscle elevates the angle of
the mouth contributing to smiling.²
The The zygomatic bone The modiolus of This muscle helps to facilitate smiling by
zygomatic the mouth. pulling the angles of the mouth superiorly
and laterally.
us major
The The zygomatic bone.¹ This muscle inserts into Contraction of this muscle aids in
zygomatic the skin of the lateral the elevation of the upper lip.
upper lip.
us minor

Depressor The mandible (specifically The skin of the lower lip. Contraction of this muscle depresses the
labii between the mental Its fibres blend with the lower lip.
foramen and fibres of the orbicularis
inferioris the symphysis).² oris muscle at the
insertion point.
mentalis The anterior aspect of The skin of the chin.¹ Contraction of this muscle causes protrusion
the mandible. of the lower lip, as well
as elevation and wrinkling of the skin of
the chin.
Depressor The mental tubercle of The modiolus and angle of Contraction of this muscle
angoli the mandible.² the mouth. causes depression of the angle of
the mouth which contributes to frowning.This
oris
muscle is in direct opposition to the actions
of the levator angulioris muscle.

The The parotid fascia. The modiolus of The modiolus of the mouth.
risorius the mouth.
Platysma
Origin
The skin and fascia of the infraclavicular and supraclavicular regions.²
Insertion
The base of the mandible, skin of the cheek and lower lip, angle of
the mouth, as well as the orbicularis oris muscle.²
Action
Draws the corners of the mouth downwards which assists in creating the
expression of melancholy.¹
Tenses the skin of the neck when the teeth are clenched.¹
Depresses the lower jaw.¹
Innervation
The cervical branch of the facial nerve.²
Blood supply
Branches of the submental and suprascapular arteries.²
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