Facial Expression Muscles

Question 1

Auricularis Superior

Answer 1

Origin: temporal fascia and epicranial aponeurosis

Insertion: upper part of medial surface of auricle

Innervation: posterior auricular and temporal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: auricular branch of posterior auricular artery and parietal branch of superficial temporal artery

Action: retracts and elevates ear

Question 2

Occipitalis

Answer 2

Origin: lateral 2/3 of superior nuchal line and mastoid process

Insertion: skin of occipital region and epicranial aponeurosis

Innervation: posterior auricular branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: occipital branch of posterior auricular artery and descending branch of occipital artery

Action: moves scalp backward

Question 3

Auricularis Posterior

Answer 3

Origin: base of mastoid process

Insertion: lower part of cranial surface of auricle

Innervation: posterior auricular and temporal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: auricular branch of posterior auricular artery and parietal branch of superficial temporal artery

Action: retracts and elevates ear

Question 4

Auricularis Anterior

Answer 4

Origin: temporal fascia and epicranial aponeurosis

Insertion: anterior part of medial surface of helix of ear

Innervation: posterior auricular and temporal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: auricular branch of posterior auricular artery and parietal branch of superficial temporal artery

Action: elevates and draws ear forward

Question 5

Frontalis

Answer 5

Origin: epicranial aponeurosis at level of coronal suture

Insertion: skin of frontal region and epicranial aponeurosis

Innervation: temporal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: frontal branch of superficial temporal artery

Action: wrinkles forehead skin and raises eyebrows

Question 6

Orbicularis Oculi

Answer 6

Origin: medial orbital margin, palpebral ligament, and lacrimal bone

Insertion: skin around orbit, palpebral ligament, upper and lower eyelids

Innervation: facial nerve (CN VII)

Blood Supply: facial and superficial temporal arteries

Action: closes eyelids

Question 7

Levator Labii Superioris

Answer 7

Origin: maxilla above infra-orbital foramen

Insertion: skin of upper lip

Innervation: zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: superior labial artery and angular branches of facial artery

Action: elevates upper lip and dilates nares

Question 8

Nasalis

Answer 8

Origin: canine eminence above and lateral to incisive fossa of maxilla

Insertion: aponeurosis on nasal cartilages

Innervation: zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: superior labial, septal, and lateral nasal branches of facial artery

Action: draws ala of nose toward septum, compresses nostrils, and alar part opens nostrils

Question 9

Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi

Answer 9

Origin:

• angular head: upper part of frontal process of maxilla
• infra-orbital head: orbit above infra-orbital foramen
• zygomatic head: malar surface of zygomatic bone

Insertion:

• angular head: into greater alar cartilage, skin of nose, and lateral upper lip
• infra-orbital head: into muscular substance of upper lip between angular head and caninus
• zygomatic head: into skin of nasolabial groove and upper lip

Innervation: zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: superior labial branch and angular branches of facial artery

Action:

• angular head: elevates upper lip and dilates nostril
• infra-orbital head: raises angle of mouth
• zygomatic head: elevates upper lip laterally

Question 10

Zygomaticus Minor

Answer 10

Origin: zygomatic arch

Insertion: angle of mouth and upper lip

Innervation: zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: superior labial branch of facial artery

Action: elevates upper lip

Question 11

Zygomaticus Major

Answer 11

Origin: zygomatic arch

Insertion: angle of mouth

Innervation: zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: superior labial branch of facial artery

Action: draws angle of mouth backward and upward

Question 12

Orbicularis Oris

Answer 12

Origin: maxilla above incisor teeth

Insertion: skin around lips

Innervation: zygomatic, buccal, and mandibular branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: inferior and superior labial branches of facial artery

Action: compression, contraction, and protrusion of lips

Question 13

Depressor Labii Inferioris

Answer 13

Origin: lateral surface of mandible between symphysis and mental foramen deep to depressor anguli oris

Insertion: skin to lower lip, mingling with orbicularis oris, medial fibers joining those of opposite side

Innervation: mandibular and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: inferior labial branch of facial artery

Action: depresses lower lip and draws it lateralward

Question 14

Depressor Anguli Oris

Answer 14

Origin: continuous with platysma on oblique line of mandible

Insertion: angle of mouth into orbicularis and skin

Innervation: mandibular and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: inferior labial branch of facial artery

Action: depresses angle of mouth

Question 15

Risorius

Answer 15

Origin: fascia over masseter superficial to platysma

Insertion: skin at angle of mouth

Innervation: zygomatic and buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: superior labial branch of facial artery

Action: retracts angle of mouth

Question 16

Buccinator

Answer 16

Origin: posterior portion of alveolar processes of maxilla and mandible opposite sockets of molar teeth and anterior border of pterygomandibular raphe

Insertion: angle of mouth

Innervation: buccal branches of facial nerve

Blood Supply: muscular branches of facial artery and buccal branch of maxillary artery

Action: compresses cheeks, expels air between lips, and aids in mastication

Question 17

Platysma

Answer 17

Origin: skin below clavicle and upper thorax

Insertion: mandible and oral muscles

Innervation: facial nerve

Blood Supply: submental and suprascapular arteries

Action: tenses skin of neck