Origin, Insertion, and Function of Human Head Muscles

Question 1

Epicranius—

frontal belly / frontalis

Answer 1

Origin: galea aponeurotica

Insertion: skin of eyebrows

Function: raises eyebrows

Question 2

Origin: galea aponeurotica

Insertion: skin of eyebrows

Function: raises eyebrows

Answer 2

Epicranius—

frontal belly / frontalis

Question 3

Epicranius—

occipital belly / occipitalis

Answer 3

Origin: occipital bone and temporal bone

Insertion: galea aponeurotica

Function: pulls scalp posteriorly

Question 4

Origin: occipital bone and temporal bone

Insertion: galea aponeurotica

Function: pulls scalp posteriorly

Answer 4

Epicranius—

occipital belly / occipitalis

Question 5

Orbicularis oculi

Answer 5

Origin: frontal bone

Insertion: tissue of eyelid

Function: closes eyes

Question 6

Corrugator

supercilii

Answer 6

Origin: Arch of frontal bone
above nasal bone

Insertion: Skin of eyebrow

Function: Draws eyebrows medially and inferiorly

Question 7

Levator labii

superioris

Answer 7

Origin: Zygomatic bone

Insertion: skin of upper
lip

Function: opens lips

Question 8

Zygomaticus—

major and minor

Answer 8

Origin: Zygomatic bone

Insertion: skin at corner of mouth

Function: Raises lateral corners of mouth
upward (smiling muscle)

Question 9

Risorius

Answer 9

Origin: Fascia of masseter muscle

Insertion: Skin at angle of mouth

Function: Draws corner of lip laterally

Question 10

Depressor labii

inferioris

Answer 10

Origin: Body of mandible lateral to its midline

Insertion: Skin of lower lip

Function: Draws lower lip inferiorly

Question 11

Depressor anguli

oris

Answer 11

Origin: Body of mandible
below incisors

Insertion: Skin at angle
of mouth below insertion
of zygomaticus

Function: draws corners of mouth downward

Question 12

Orbicularis oris

Answer 12

Origin: Arises indirectly from
mandible; other muscles associated with lips

Insertion: Skin at angle of mouth

Function: closes lips

Question 13

Mentalis

Answer 13

Origin: Mandible below incisors

Insertion: Skin of chin

Function: wrinkles chin

Question 14

Buccinator

Answer 14

Origin: Molar region of maxilla and mandible

Insertion: Orbicularis oris

Function: closes jaw

Question 15

Masseter

Answer 15

Origin: Zygomatic arch

Insertion: Angle and ramus of mandible

Function: Draws corner of mouth laterally; compresses cheek

Question 16

Temporalis

Answer 16

Origin: Temporal fossa

Insertion: Coronoid process of mandible

Function: Closes jaw

Question 17

Levator anguli oris

Answer 17

Origin: Zygomatic bone

Insertion: skin of mouth