The facial muscles (also called the muscles of facial expression) are situated within the subcutaneous tissue of the face. They are responsible for the movements of skin folds, providing different facial expressions. The facial muscles originate from the bones of the facial skeleton (viscerocranium) and insert into the skin.

These muscles are mostly grouped around the natural orifices of the face (eyes, nose, and mouth), taking part in the closing or widening of these orifices.

All muscles of facial expression are innervated by branches of the facial nerve (CN VII).

Facial muscles around the orbital opening:

• Orbicularis oculi
• Corrugator supercilii
• Depressor supercilii

Muscles around the oral opening:

• Orbicularis oris
• Depressor anguli oris
• Depressor labii inferioris
• Levator anguli oris
• Levator labii superioris
• Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
• Mentalis
• Risorius
• Zygomaticus minor
• Zygomaticus major
• Buccinator

Muscles around the nose opening:

• Compressor narium minor
• Dilator naris anterior
• Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
• Nasalis
  • Transverse nasalis
  • Alar nasalis
• Procerus
• Depressor septi nasi

Facial muscles in the calvaria region:

• Occipitofrontalis muscle
  • Frontalis muscle (frontal belly)
  • Occipitalis muscle (occipital belly)

Click here to check out our study unit devoted entirely to the facial muscles and learn in detail about each one of them!