What are the muscles of the face?
Although we do not take them into account, the muscles of the face are very important for expression , that is, for gestural language. As well as for nutrition and the relief and shape of the face.
The muscles of the face are distributed around the eyes, the mouth, the nose or forehead, even the ears! Even though the latter do not move at will.
To the facial muscles
The muscles of the face are located between the skin and the bones of the face or skull . Most are flat beams. Unlike the others on the body, they are not surrounded by a fascia, with the exception of the buccinator. Fascia is a membrane that allows free movement without friction.
In total, there are more than 40 muscles in the face. They are found around the facial openings (mouth, eyes, nose and ears). There are also along the forehead, at the temples, on the jaw and at the base of the neck.
The craniofacial muscles, as they are also called, are innervated by the facial nerve , which is the seventh of the cranial nerves . In turn, they are vascularized by the facial artery.
Functions of the muscles of the face
The muscles of the face fulfill specific and differentiated functions, although they can work in a coordinated manner to produce expressions. It can be said that they perform four types of basic tasks:
- They are involved in feeding : both in chewing and tasting food.
- Phonation or speech : moving or modulating the lips, including the nose, since there are nasal sounds , in which part of the air comes out through the nostrils.
- Facial expressions : surprise, doubt, joy and others involve the movement of various muscles of the face.
- They shape the face : Of course, this is influenced by bones and skin texture.
Mouth muscles
This is the largest group of facial muscles. They allow us to open our mouths, move them to one side or the other , project our lips to speak, sing, laugh, eat and even kiss.
Most of them are connected to each other by a fibromuscular axis called modiolus , into which they insert their fibers. This axis is located at the corners of the mouth, near the corners of the lips.
Buccinador
Its name derives from the Latin buccina (horn). It is the one that pulls the commissure back, increasing the opening of the mouth .
Likewise, it helps us bulge our cheeks to blow when whistling or playing a wind instrument. It is the muscle of the flutists and trumpets.
Lifter of the corner of the mouth
This is a thin muscle that is shaped like a sheet . It arises above the canine fossa of the upper jaw. As the name indicates, its main function is to raise the angles of the lips.
The corner of the mouth is depressed
Contrary to the previous one, it contributes to the expression of feelings of sadness or annoyance , as well as the opening of the mouth when speaking or eating. It is triangular in shape and is located on each side of the chin.
Zygomatic major and minor
Both muscles run diagonally, from the cheekbone to the corner of the mouth . They help raise the angle of the mouth, contributing to a variety of expressions.
Square chin muscle
Also called depressor labii inferioris (or depressor labii inferioris ). As its name implies, it is quadrangular in shape and is located on the chin . Moves the lip downwards, as well as the corners.
Mentalist
It is below the previous one, in the chin area. The mentalis is conical. It helps shape the lips when ingesting liquids, as well as when conveying certain feelings, such as sadness, mockery or contempt.
Masetero
It is the most important when eating. This is the king of chewing . It has a rectangular shape and is made up of two fibers. It goes from the cheekbone to the jaw. It is one of the strongest in the body.
Temporalis
Although seemingly far from the mouth, this fan-shaped muscle on the side of the head (from the temples to behind the ears) helps close the mouth and move the jaw to chew food .
Risorio
The risorium is located on the sides of the face. It is triangular in shape, with the vertex pointing towards the corners . It performs the opposite function of the buccinator, as it helps to hollow out the cheeks.
Despite its small size, it is very important in terms of the function of vocalizing, helping to produce speech sounds, along with the zygomatics (major and minor) and the orbicularis. Furthermore, as its name indicates, it is largely responsible for laughter.
Upper lip elevator
Its full name is levator labii superioris alaeque nasi . It is a thin, strap-shaped muscle found on both sides of the nose .
It allows you to elevate the lip, exposing the upper teeth, deepening or increasing the curvature of the nasolabial or nasolabial fold. Although it is used to smile, it also helps to express contempt.
Orbicularis oris
The orbicularis surrounds the entire orbit of the mouth and lips . You have to say your full name so as not to confuse it with the eyes. It is also known as oris or rbicularis .
It consists of two parts: a peripheral one and a marginal one. Both originate in the modiolus. Its function is to produce the movements of the lips, opening and closing, puckering or twisting. Therefore, participate in communication.
Muscles around the eyes
There are almost as many muscles and complex functions around the eyes as there are around the mouth. Let’s see.
Orbicularis oculi
This facial muscle is made up of a palpebral part and an orbital part . The palpebral area makes up the eyelids and the orbital region encloses it concentrically.
The orbicularis oculi is what makes us blink or close our eyes when winking or sleeping. According to experts , the eyelids remain open because the frontal eyelid is stronger than the orbicularis.
On the other hand, the deep palpebral part, which is located towards the lacrimal sac, pulls on the eyelids and the lacrimal papillae, dilating the aforementioned sac. In other words, this is the muscle that makes us cry .
Corrugador superciliar
This is a thin muscle. It is located in the inner part or rather under the browbone arch . When contracted, it pulls the eyebrows toward the middle, contributing to the frowning expression.
Other muscles in the eyelid area
In this small area of the face there are other muscles, whose function is related to the movements of the eye, the eyelids and expressiveness. Among these are the following:
- Corrugator and hero: move the eyebrows, raising or relaxing them.
- Levator palpebrae superioris: works in conjunction with the orbicularis to open the eyes.
Nose muscles
There are more muscles in and around the nose than we might believe. Although they are small and with little relative mobility . Most participate in respiratory function and expressiveness.
One of the main ones is the nasal or nasalis. It is located on each side of the back of the nose. It consists of two parts: one wing and one transverse.
It compresses the nasal opening, aiding in deep breathing . To this same extent, it can convey the idea of anger.
For its part, the procerus is a small muscle with a pyramidal or fan shape. It is located above the bridge; that is, between the eyebrows. Therefore, it is the frown muscle.
Other muscles of the nose are the following:
- Myrtiform: helps close the nostrils (although only to a certain extent).
- Transverse and dilator: work together to open or dilate the nostrils.
Ear muscles
In the ears, or rather around them, there are muscles too. For some animals they are useful , as it helps them direct their ears towards sound.
There are exactly 3:
- Auricularis anterior: shaped like a triangle, with the apex facing the ear. As its name indicates, it is located on the front side of the pavilion.
- Auricularis posterior: it is the smallest. It is formed by two or three fibers that are inserted into the temporal mastoid.
- Auricularis superior: it is at the top of the pavilion, towards the temporal.
Other muscles of the face
There are other muscles in the face, although they are not as visible. And although we do not perceive them when looking in the mirror, they have important functions. Such is the case of the external pterygoid.
This muscle is located in the upper part of the lower jaw . It participates in the chewing process and is responsible for opening the mouth. So it also intervenes when we talk, laugh or shout.
And finally, the occipitofrontal. It is a large muscle, which extends from the eyebrows to the occipital bone. The occipitofrontal is what produces the forehead wrinkle , which is marked when we appear surprised.
Exercise the muscles of the face
Our life depends on the proper functioning of the muscles of the face . That’s how it is. They are very important. We need them to eat, to talk and ask for help, to relate to others.
Although most do not do it or not very often, it is possible to exercise the muscles as if we were going to a gym. There are, for example, facial yoga routines , which not only tone them, but will also help you look young.
And along with dryness, one of the factors that make the face look flaccid is the loss of tone in the facial muscles. So smile: Smiling is the best exercise for your facial muscles .
