Facial Muscles by Action

Nasalis (Transverse part)

Constricts nostrils

Nasalis (Alar part)

Flares nostrils (deep breath)

Masseter

Elevation of mandible (clenches teeth) - superficial part protrudes mandible - deep part retracts mandible

Zygomaticus Minor

Elevation & eversion of upper lip ("scary smile")

Depressor Labii Inferioris

Draws lower lip inferior & lateral

Orbicularis Oculi

Closes or squints the eyes tightly

Frontalis

Pulls back scalp - raises eyebrows (wrinkles forehead)

Platysma

Tenses skin over lower neck (creates ridges in skin) - depresses mandible & lower lip

Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi

Elevates upper lip & flares nostrils ("horse face")

Corrugator Supercilii

Draws eyebrows downward & medial ("thinker's brow")

Orbicularis Oris

Closes lips & protrudes them forward (puckering lips)

Auricularis (Anterior)

Pulls ear anterior (protraction)

Auricularis (Superior)

Elevates ear (superiorly)

Auricularis (Posterior)

Pulls ear posterior (retraction)

Depressor Anguli Oris

Depresses the angle of the mouth (frown)

Temporalis

Elevation & retraction of mandible (closes jaw - clench teeth)

Lateral Pterygoid

Opens the jaw - protraction & depression of mandible - lateral deviation of mandible to side opposite contraction (during chewing)

Depressor Septi Nasi

Pulls middle of the nose down towards mouth / constricts nostrils

Levator Labii Superioris

Elevation & eversion of upper lip

Procerus

Pulls medial eyebrows inferiorly - wrinkles nose (menacing or disgust look)

Risorius

Pulls angle of the mouth laterally ("false smile")

Buccinator

Compresses cheek against teeth

Occipitalis

Pulls back scalp - raises eyebrows (wrinkles forehead)

Temporoparietalis

Elevates ear & stabilizes galea aponeurotica

Zygomaticus Major

Elevates & pulls angle of mouth laterally (smiling)

Mentalis

Wrinkles skin of chin - as in pouting (sticks out lower lip) - elevation/eversion of lower lip

Levator Palpebrae Superioris

Raises the upper eyeli