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.