What are the muscles responsible for Facial Expressions

Some Features of the Muscles of Facial Expression are:

• Subcutaneous
• Develop from the Mesoderm of the2nd Branchial arch
• They are supplied by the facial nerve
• All of them are inserted into the skin

The Muscles which lead to various expressions:

1. Smiling and laughing – Zygomaticus Major
2. Sadness – Levator labii superioris, levator angulioris
3. Grief – Depressor Anguli Oris
4. Anger – Dilator naris and depressor septi
5. Frowning – Corrugator Supercilii, Procerus
6. Horror, terror, fright – Platysma
7. Surprise – Frontalis
8. Doubt – Mentalis
9. Grinning – Risorius
10. Contempt – Zygomaticus Minor
11. Closing the mouth – Orbicularis Oris
12. Whistling – Buccinator, Orbicularis Oris

© mplab.ucsd.edu

Muscles of Facial Expression are the Facial muscles which with the help of minute and major contractions and relaxation lead to appearance of facial expressions.