Face/Neck Muscles

Mentalis

Elevates the lower lip, located in the chin area; functions to elevate and protrude the lower lip for pouting.

Buccinator

Tightens the cheeks, located in the cheek area; functions to compress the cheeks (as in blowing) and aids in chewing.

Depressor Labii Inferioris

Depresses the lower lip, located below the lower lip; functions to lower the lower lip and assist in frowning.

Zygomaticus

Elevates the corners of the mouth, located from the zygomatic bone to the corners of the mouth; functions to smile or laugh.

Orbicularis Oris

Closes the mouth, located around the lips; functions to close and protrude the lips, used for puckering.

Risorius

Responsible for creating facial expressions, located near the corners of the mouth; functions to pull the corners of the mouth laterally.

Depressor Anguli Oris

Aids in frowning by pulling down the edges of the lips, located below the corners of the mouth.

Platysma

Depresses the lower lip, located in the neck and lower face; functions to depress the lower lip and tense the skin of the neck.

Levator Labii Superioris

Used in facial expressions, located above the upper lip; functions to elevate the upper lip.

Corrugator Supercilii

Pulls the eyebrows toward the midline and downward, located beneath the eyebrows; involved in frowning.

Epicranius

Controls the movement of the forehead and eyebrows, located on the scalp.

Masseter

Closes the mandible, located on the side of the jaw; responsible for chewing.

Temporalis

Closes the mandible, located on the side of the head, above the ear; involved in chewing.

Medial and Lateral Pterygoids

Responsible for lateral movement of the mandible, located deep in the jaw.

Digastric

Protracts, retracts, elevates the hyoid, and opens the mandible, located under the chin.

Sternothyroid

Depresses thyroid cartilage, located in the neck under the sternocleidomastoid.

Mylohyoid

Elevates the floor of the oral cavity, located under the chin; aids in swallowing.

Omohyoid

Depresses the hyoid; located in the neck.

Sternohyoid

Depresses the hyoid bone, located in the neck from the sternum to the hyoid bone.

Sternocleidomastoid

Rotates and extends the head; located on the sides of the neck.

Levator Scapulae

Elevates the scapula, located on the lateral side of the neck.

Splenius

Lifts and rotates the head, located in the back of the neck.

Semispinalis

Extends the head, located deep along the vertebral column.

Scalenus

Flexes and rotates the neck, and elevates the first two ribs; located in the lateral neck.

Occipital Belly (Occipitalis)

Pulls the scalp posteriorly, located at the back of the head.

Frontalis (Frontal Belly)

Raises the eyebrows and pulls the scalp anteriorly, located in the forehead.

Orbicularis Oculi

Closes the eyes, located around the eyes; functions to close the eyelids.