Definition: Facial Muscles

nnFacial MusclesnnThe facial muscles are a group of striated muscles innervated by the facial nerve that, among other things, control facial expression. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles.nnStructurennThe facial muscles are subcutaneous (just under the skin) muscles that control facial expression. They generally originate on bone, and insert on the skin of the face.nnInnervationnnThe facial muscles are innervated by cranial nerve VII, also known as the facial nerve. In contrast, the nearby masticatory muscles are innervated by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve.nnDevelopmentnnThe facial muscles are derived from the second branchial/pharyngeal arch.nnList of musclesnnThe facial muscles include:nn * Occipitofrontalisn * Procerusn * Nasalis musclen * Depressor septi nasin * Orbicularis oculin * Corrugator superciliin * Depressor superciliin * Auricular muscles (anterior, superior, posterior)n * Orbicularis orisn * Depressor anguli orisn * Risoriusn * Zygomaticus majorn * Zygomaticus minorn * Levator labii superiorisn * Levator labii superioris alaeque nasin * Depressor labii inferiorisn * Levator anguli orisn * Buccinatorn * MentalisnnThe platysma is innervated by the facial nerve. Although it is mostly in the neck, due to its common innervation it can sometimes also be considered a muscle of facial expression.[citation needed]nnThe stylohyoid muscle and posterior belly of the digastric muscle are also innervated by the facial nerve, but are not considered muscles of facial expression.n

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