Muscles of Facial Expression

Question 1

Corrugator supercilii

Answer 1

A: Draws eyebrow medially and inferiorly, producing vertical wrinkles above nose
E: concern/worry
I: temporal branch of facial nerve

Question 2

Orbicularis oculi

Answer 2

A: Closes eyelids (palpebral - gently, orbital - tightly)
E: winking
I: temporal (superior part) and zygomatic (inferior pary) of facial nerve

Question 3

Procerus plus transverse nasalis (compressor naris)

Answer 3

A: Depresses medial end of eyebrow, assists in flaring the nose, producing horizontal wrinkles
E: anger, disdain, dislike
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 4

Levator labii superioris alaeque nasii plus alar nasalis (dilator naris)

Answer 4

A: Depresses ala laterally, dilating anterior nasal aperture
E: anger, exertion, fright
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 5

Buccinator

Answer 5

A: Presses cheek against molars, keep food on occlusal surfaces, resists distension
E: dimples, whistles, sucking
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 6

Orbicularis oris

Answer 6

A: Tonus closes oral fissure, contraction compresses and protrudes lips/resists distension
E: kissing, blowing
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 7

Levator labii superioris (aka infraorbital head of QLS)

Answer 7

A: Elevates/everts upper lip, deepens nasolabial sulcus
E: upper lip raiser
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 8

Zygomaticus major

Answer 8

A: Mouth dilator, elevates labial commissure (bilateral - smile; unilateral - disdain)
E: happiness or disdain
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 9

Zygomaticus minor

Answer 9

A: Cheek puffer, elevates/everts upper lip, deepens nasolabial sulcus
E: sadness, happiness
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 10

Levator anguli oris (caninus)

Answer 10

A: Mouth dilator, widens oral fissure, nasolabial depressor
E: grinning, grimacing
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 11

Risorius

Answer 11

A: Mouth dilator, depresses labial commissure bilaterally to frown, also a lip stretcher
E: grinning, grimacing, sadness
I: buccal branch of facial nerve

Question 12

Depressor anguli oris (aka triangularis)

Answer 12

A: Angle lip depressor, mouth dilator, depresses labial commissure bilaterally to frown
E: sadness
I: marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve

Question 13

Mentalis

Answer 13

A: Chin raiser, elevates and protrudes lower lip
E: doubt
I: marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve

Question 14

Platysma

Answer 14

A: depresses mandible against resistance, tenses skin of inferior face and neck
E: tension and stress
I: cervical branch of facial nerve

Question 15

Frontalis

Answer 15

A: elevates eyebrows, wrinkles skin of forehead (horizontal lines)
E: surprise, curiosity
I: temporal branch of facial nerve

Question 16

Occipital belly of occipitofrontalis

Answer 16

A: retracts scalp
I: posterior auricular branch of facial nerve

Question 17

Depressor labii inferioris (or quadratus labii inferioris)

Answer 17

A: Mouth dilator, retracts and everts lower lip
E: pouting, sadness
I: marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve