Facial muscles

Musculi faciales

Latin synonym: Musculi faciei

Muhammad A. Javaid

The facial muscles are a group of superficial skeletal muscles situated in the superficial fascia of the face, scalp, and neck. They are responsible for producing facial expressions, moving the lips, eyelids, nostrils, and external ear, and aiding in nonverbal communication.

General Features

1. Origin

Most facial muscles originate from bones or fascia of the face and skull (e.g., maxilla, mandible, or zygomatic bone).

2. Insertion

Unlike most skeletal muscles, their fibres insert mainly into the skin, allowing movement of the skin overlying the face, scalp, and neck, to produce fascial expressions.

3. Nerve Supply

All facial muscles are innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The nerve divides within the parotid gland into five terminal branches: Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, and Cervical branches.

Regional groups
Scalp	Occipitofrontalis (frontal & occipital bellies)
Orbital	Orbicularis oculi, Corrugator supercilii
Nasal	Nasalis, Procerus, Depressor septi nasi
Oral	Orbicularis oris, Bucinator, Zygomaticus major, Zygomaticus minor, Levator labii superioris, Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, Levator anguli oris, Depressor anguli oris, Depressor labii inferioris, Risorius, Mentalis
Auricular	Anterior, Superior, Posterior auricular muscles
Cervical	Platysma

Clinical Note

Facial nerve palsy (e.g., Bell’s palsy) results in flaccid paralysis of facial muscles on the affected side, leading to asymmetry and loss of facial expression.

References

Fakoya AO, Hohman MH, Westbrook KE, et al. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Facial Muscles. [Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493209/
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 30: Face and Scalp, p. 489-496.