Muscles of the head
Musculi capitis
Definition
The muscles of the head are a group of specialized muscles responsible for essential functions such as mastication, facial expression, mobility of the lips, ears, and eyelids, as well as phonation and swallowing.
They are characterized by their great morphological diversity and their distribution around the oral, nasal, and orbital cavities.
They are primarily innervated by the trigeminal nerve and the facial nerve.
Their blood supply mainly originates from branches of the external carotid artery.
References
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature, 3rd Edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 2, Arthrologie et myologie, 4th edition, Vigot, Paris, 2017.
