Facial, neck and shoulder muscles
Facial, Neck, and Shoulder Muscles: Position and Action
- For a muscle to work, it must contract, meaning it shortens in length.
Muscle: Frontalis
- Position: Upper part of cranium, extends over forehead.
- Action: Moves scalp forward, raises eyebrows.
Muscle: Corrugator
- Position: Inner corners of the eyebrows.
- Action: Draws eyebrows together, causing frowning. Forms vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows.
Muscle: Procerus
- Position: Top of nose between eyebrows.
- Action: Depresses the eyebrows, creating wrinkles over the bridge of the nose.
Muscle: Temporalis
- Position: Runs down the side of the face towards the upper jaw.
- Action: Aids in chewing and closing the mouth.
Muscle: Orbicularis Oculi
- Position: Surrounds the eye.
- Action: Closes the eye (e.g., blinking).
Muscle: Levators of the Upper Lip (Quadratus Labii Superiorus)
- Position: Runs upward from the upper lip.
- Action: Lifts the upper lip, elevates the mouth.
Muscle: Orbicularis Oris
- Position: Surrounds the lips and forms the mouth.
- Action: Closes the mouth, purses lips forward (e.g., as in kissing).
Muscle: Depressors of the Lower Lip (Quadratus Labii Inferioris)
- Position: A small muscle below the lower lip.
- Action: Pulls the lower lip down slightly and outwards.
Muscle: Nasalis
- Position: Over the front of the nose.
- Action: Compresses the nose, wrinkles the nose.