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RESEARCH.

                        Out of the twenty-six or more facial muscles that move the human face, only those pictured here (see fig 05.) are responsible for facial expression.

Fig . 05 - Muscle Map of the Human Face.

  1. Orbicularis oculi. Attaches to inner orbit and skin of cheek; squeezes as in squinting.
  2. Levator Palpabrae.  Originates on orbit, attaches to upper eyelid.  Raises eyelid, as in surprise.
  3. Levator Labii Superioris.  Three branches - inner branch originates on base of nose; middle branch on bottom edge of orbit; outer branch on zygomatic arch.  All of these insert into skin above upper lip.  Otherwise known as the sneering muscle.
  4. Zygomatic Major.  Originates on zygomatic arch; inserts into mouth corner.  Pulls mouth into smile;  known as the smiling muscle.
  5. Risorius/Platysma.  The Risorius originates over rear of jaw, inserts into mouth corner; platysma originates as low as the upper chest, inserts into mouth corner.  Both act together, stretching mouth, as in crying.  Known as the lip stretcher.  (The platysma is not pictured in fig . 05 as it would cover othermuscles.)
  6. Frontalis.  Originates near the top of the skull, along the hairline; inserts into skin under the eyebrows.  Raises eyebrows straight up, as in surprise.  Known as the brow lifter.
  7. Orbicularis Oris.  Originates from the muscles at the corners of the mouth.  It serves to curl and tighten the lips.  Known as the lip-tightener.
  8. Corrugator.  Originates on the nasal bridge; attaches to the skin under the middle of the eyebrow.  Lowers inner end of the eyebrow.  Known as the frowning muscle.
  9. Triangularis.  Originates along the lower margin of the jaw; inserts into the mouth corner.  Pulls down on the mouth corner.
  10. Depressor Labii Inferioris.  Originates along the bottom of the chin; inserts into the lower lip.  Pull the bottom lip straight down when used in the act of speaking.
  11. Mentalis.  Originates just below the teeth, on the lower jaw; inserts into the skin of the ball of the chin.  Serves to wrinkle the chin, creating a raised 'island' ; pushes lower lip up.  Known as the pouting muscle.