head and neck muscles

Muscles of the Skull and Face

Facial Muscles

  1. Frontalis: Covers the frons area.

  2. Orbicularis Oculi: Encircles the orbit of the eye.

  3. Nasalis: Covers the bridge of the nose.

  4. Orbicularis Oris: Encircles the mouth.

  5. Mentalis: Located in the center of the chin.

  6. Depressor Labii Inferioris: Lateral to the mentalis.

  7. Depressor Anguli Oris: Lateral to the depressor labii inferioris.

  8. Zygomaticus Minor: Extends from orbicularis oris to zygomaticus bone.

  9. Zygomaticus Major: Runs from corner of mouth to zygomaticus bone, inferior to zygomaticus minor.

  10. Risorius: Extends from corner of mouth toward ramus of mandible.

  11. Masseter: Superficial to ramus of mandible; elevates mandible and closes jaw (Origin: Zygomatic arch, Insertion: Lateral surface of ramus).

  12. Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi: Extends from orbicularis oris, near nose to medial corner of eye.

  13. Levator Labii Superioris: Lateral to levator labii superioris alaeque nasi.

  14. Buccinator: Deep to masseter, extends slightly anterior.

  15. Occipitalis: Superficial to occipital bone.

  16. Temporalis: Superficial to temporal bone.

Neck Muscles

  1. Platysma: Covers anterior neck, from clavicle to mandible; tenses skin of neck and depresses mandible (Origin: Superior thorax, Insertion: Mandible and skin of cheek).

  2. Sternocleidomastoid: Extends from clavicle/sternum to mastoid process.

  3. Trapezius: Primarily an upper back muscle that extends through the posterior neck to the occipital region.

  4. Scalene Muscles: Divided into anterior, middle, and posterior.

  5. Levator Scapulae: Superior to posterior scalene.

  6. Splenius Capitis: Superior to levator scapulae.

  7. Sternohyoid: Anterior neck muscle.

  8. Omohyoid: Lateral to sternohyoid.

  9. Digastric: Extends from hyoid bone to center of mandible.

  10. Mylohyoid: Deep to digastric, forms the floor of the mouth.