Muscles of Facial Expression

Characteristics:

• paired muscles within superficial fascia

• most originate from the surface of the skull and insert on dermis of skin

Diagram:

Nerve Innervation

• Facial Nerve (CN VII)

• work as a group

• paralysis of the facial nerve

  • Bells parsley

groups of facial muscles

• scalp

• orbital region

• oral region

Muscle of the ear

• anterior aurcicular muscles

  • pulls the ear forward

• superior auricular muscles

  • raises ear

• posterior auricular muscle

  • pulls ear back

epicranial muscle (occipitofrontalis)

muscle of the facial expression in the scalp reigion

muscle and tendon are layers that form scalp

two bellies

frontal and occipital belly

belly united by braod flat band of fascia (epicranial aponerosis)

Epicranial muscle origin and insertion

frontal belly or frontalis muscle

origin: epicranial aponeurosis

insertion: skin of eyebrow and root of the nose

Epicranial Muscle action

draws scalp backward which raises eyebrows

forward movement (front or squint)

bellies can work together or idnependetly