Facial Muscle Actions and Origins

A series of flashcards covering the actions, origins, and insertions of various facial muscles.

What is the action of the Buccinator muscle?

Compresses cheek, draws corners of mouth laterally, holds food between teeth while chewing.

What is the action of the Corrugator supercilii?

Draws eyebrows medially and inferiorly; wrinkles skin of forehead.

What action does the Depressor anguli oris perform?

Draws corners of mouth inferiorly and laterally, creating a frown.

What is the primary action of the Depressor labii inferioris?

Depresses lower lip (pouting).

What does the Levator labii superioris do?

Opens lips by elevating and furrowing the upper lip.

What is the action of the Mentalis muscle?

Wrinkles chin and protrudes the lower lip.

What does the frontal belly of the Epicranius do?

Elevates eyebrows and wrinkles the skin of the forehead.

What is the main function of the Occipital belly of the Epicranius?

Fixes aponeurosis and pulls the scalp posteriorly.

What action does the Orbicularis oris perform?

Closes lips, purses and protrudes lips (kissing or whistling).

What is the function of the Orbicularis oculi?

Closes eyes (blinking, squinting) and draws eyebrows interiorly.

What does the Risorius muscle do?

Draws corners of lips laterally and works with zygomaticus to tense lips.

What is the action of the Zygomaticus muscle?

Raises lateral corners of mouth (smiling).