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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.
-
Orbicularis oculi. Attaches to inner
orbit and skin of cheek; squeezes as in squinting.
-
Levator Palpabrae. Originates
on orbit, attaches to upper eyelid. Raises eyelid, as in surprise.
-
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.
-
Zygomatic Major. Originates on
zygomatic arch; inserts into mouth corner. Pulls mouth into smile;
known as the smiling muscle.
-
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.)
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Triangularis.
Originates along the lower margin of the jaw; inserts into the mouth corner.
Pulls down on the mouth corner.
-
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.
-
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.