Superficial Face

Superficial Muscles of the Face

  • All superficial muscles of the face are innervated by Cranial Nerve VII (CN VII).

List of Superficial Muscles:

  1. Orbicularis oculi m. - muscle encircling the eye.

  2. Zygomaticus minor m. - muscle responsible for elevating the upper lip.

  3. Zygomaticus major m. - muscle responsible for pulling the corners of the mouth upwards (smiling).

  4. Levator labii superioris m. - muscle that elevates the upper lip.

  5. Levator anguli oris m. - muscle that elevates the angle of the mouth.

  6. Orbicularis oris m. - muscle encircling the mouth.

  7. Depressor labii inferioris m. - muscle that pulls the lower lip downward.

  8. Depressor anguli oris m. - muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward (frowning).

  9. Buccinator m. - muscle of the cheek that aids in mastication.

Innervation to Superficial Muscles of the Face

  • All superficial muscles of facial expression are innervated by Cranial Nerve VII (CN VII).

  • The innervation consists of:   1. Temporal branch   2. Zygomatic branch of CN VII   3. Buccal branch of CN VII   4. Mandibular branch   5. Cervical branch

  • These branches originate from the Stylomastoid foramen.

Idiopathic Peripheral Facial Nerve (CN VII) Palsy

Bell's Palsy

  • Characterized by the following symptoms:   - Inability to wrinkle the brow.   - Drooping eyelid; inability to close the eye.   - Inability to puff cheek; leads to asymmetrical smile.   - Drooping corner of the mouth.   - Dry mouth.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

  • The Trigeminal Nerve comprises three major divisions:   1. Ophthalmic Division (V1): Covers the area from the forehead to the lateral corners of the eyes and the bridge of the nose.   2. Maxillary Division (V2): Covers the area between the lateral corners of the eyes to the corners of the mouth.   3. Mandibular Division (V3): Covers the area of the mandible; this is the only division that contains somatic motor fibers, which innervate the muscles of mastication.

Sensory Innervation of the Face via Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

Ophthalmic Division (V1)

  1. Supratrochlear n.

  2. Supraorbital n.

Maxillary Division (V2)

  1. Infraorbital n.

  2. Zygomatic branch of CN V

Mandibular Division (V3)

  1. Mental n.

  2. Auriculotemporal n.

Superficial Face Anatomy

  • Scalp: Comprises skin, fascia, and muscles covering the calvarium.

  • The Occipitofrontalis muscle consists of three parts:   1. Frontalis muscle   2. Galea aponeurotica   3. Occipitalis muscle

  • These are generally considered muscles of facial expression innervated by CN VII.

  • Temporalis muscle is a muscle of mastication and is innervated by CN V; it lies in the temporal fossa.

Muscles Discussed:

  • Temporalis muscle

  • Occipitalis m.

  • Frontalis m.

  • Galea aponeurotica

Blood Supply to the Scalp

  • The ear serves as a landmark for remembering the locations of the arteries:

"3 in Front and 2 Behind"

"3 In Front":

  1. Supratrochlear artery

  2. Supraorbital artery

  3. Superficial temporal artery

"2 Behind":

  1. Posterior auricular artery

  2. Occipital artery

  • Front and Back: This phrase is used to remember the arterial supply distribution relative to the ear.