Facial Muscles Anatomy Quiz

Corrugator Supercilii

• Small muscle associated with the orbicularis oculi.
• Originates from the arch of the frontal bone above the nasal bone.
• Inserts into the skin of the eyebrow, drawing it medially and inferiorly, creating vertical wrinkles on the forehead.

Levator Labii Superioris

• Thin muscle located between the orbicularis oris and the inferior eye margin.
• Originates from the zygomatic bone and infraorbital margin of the maxilla.
• Inserts into the skin and muscle of the upper lip and nostril border, raising and furrowing the upper lip while opening the lips.

Buccinator

• Principal muscle of the cheek that runs horizontally, located deep to the masseter.
• Originates from the molar region of the maxilla and mandible.
• Inserts into the orbicularis oris, drawing the corner of the mouth laterally and compressing the cheek during whistling; aids in keeping food between teeth.

Risorius

• Slender muscle running inferiorly and laterally to the zygomaticus.
• Originates from the fascia of the masseter muscle.
• Inserts into the skin at the angle of the mouth, drawing the corner of the lip laterally and tensing the lip, acting as a synergist to the zygomaticus.

Mentalis

• Forms a V-shaped muscle mass on the chin.
• Originates from the mandible below the incisors.
• Inserts into the skin of the chin, protruding the lower lip and wrinkling the chin.

Depressor Labii Inferioris

• Small muscle connecting the lower lip to the mandible.
• Originates from the body of the mandible lateral to its midline.
• Inserts into the skin and muscle of the lower lip, drawing the lower lip inferiorly.

Depressor Anguli Oris

• Small muscle located lateral to the depressor labii inferioris.
• Originates from the body of the mandible below the incisors.
• Inserts into the skin and muscle at the angle of the mouth below the zygomaticus, acting as an antagonist to the zygomaticus by drawing the corners of the mouth downward and laterally.

Occipitalis (Occipital Belly)

• Part of the epicranius muscle, consisting of frontal and occipital parts covering the skull.
• Originates from the occipital and temporal bones.
• Inserts into the galea aponeurotica, fixing the aponeurosis and pulling the scalp posteriorly.

Orbicularis Oculi

• Tripartite sphincter muscle responsible for eyelid movement.
• Originates from the frontal and maxillary bones and ligaments around the orbit.
• Encircles the orbit and inserts into the tissue of the eyelid, closing the eye, producing blinking and squinting, and drawing the eyebrows inferiorly.

Zygomaticus

• Diagonally extends from the corner of the mouth to the cheekbone.
• Originates from the zygomatic bone.
• Inserts into the skin and muscle at the corner of the mouth, raising the lateral corners of the mouth to create a smile.

Masseter

• Covers the lateral aspect of the mandibular ramus, palpable during jaw closure.
• Originates from the zygomatic arch and maxilla.
• Inserts into the angle and ramus of the mandible, functioning primarily to close the jaw and elevate the mandible.

Temporalis

• Fan-shaped muscle lying over the frontal, parietal, and temporal bones.
• Originates from the temporal fossa.
• Inserts into the coronoid process of the mandible, closing the jaw, and elevating and retracting the mandible.

Orbicularis Oris

• Multilayered muscle of the lips with circularly oriented fibers.
• Originates indirectly from the maxilla and mandible, with fibers blending with other lip-associated muscles.
• Encircles the mouth and inserts into muscle and skin at the angles of the mouth, closing the mouth and allowing pursing and protrusion of the lips.

Frontalis (Frontal Belly)

• Part of the epicranius muscle that covers the skull's dome.
• Originates from the galea aponeurotica.
• Inserts into the skin of the eyebrows and root of the nose, raising the eyebrows when the aponeurosis is fixed.

Sternothyroid

• Located lateral and deep to the sternohyoid.
• Originates from the posterior surface of the manubrium.
• Inserts into the thyroid cartilage of the larynx, depressing the larynx and hyoid bone when the mandible is fixed, and may flex the skull.

Sternocleidomastoid

• Two-headed muscle situated deep to the platysma on the anterolateral neck surface.
• Originates from the manubrium of the sternum and medial portion of the clavicle.
• Inserts into the mastoid process of the temporal bone and superior nuchal line of the occipital bone, flexing the neck forward when both muscles contract together, especially against resistance.

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of key facial muscles including the Corrugator Supercilii, Levator Labii Superioris, Buccinator, and Risorius. This quiz will cover their origins, insertions, and functions, helping you deepen your understanding of facial musculature. Perfect for students of anatomy or anyone interested in human biology!