Facial Muscles – Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply, Functions

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 16 min read
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The Facial Muscles are a group of striated skeletal muscles supplied by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that, among other things, control facial expression. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles. The facial muscles are just under the skin (subcutaneous) muscles that control facial expression. They generally originate from the surface of...

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Article Summary

The Facial Muscles are a group of striated skeletal muscles supplied by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that, among other things, control facial expression. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles. The facial muscles are just under the skin (subcutaneous) muscles that control facial expression. They generally originate from the surface of the skull bone (rarely the fascia), and insert on the skin of the face. When they contract, the skin moves. These muscles...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Facial Muscles in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Chewing Muscles in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Neck Muscles in simple medical language.
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Definition

The Facial Muscles are a group of striated skeletal muscles supplied by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) that, among other things, control facial expression. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles. The facial muscles are just under the skin (subcutaneous) muscles that control facial expression. They generally originate from the surface of the skull bone (rarely the fascia), and insert on the skin of the face. When they contract, the skin moves. These muscles also cause wrinkles at right angles to the muscles’ action line.[rx]

The facial muscles are supplied by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), with each nerve serving one side of the face.[rx] In contrast, the nearby masticatory muscles are supplied by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V).

Facial Muscles

The facial muscles include:[rx]

  • Occipitofrontalis muscle
  • Temporoparietalis muscle
  • Procerus muscle
  • Nasalis muscle
  • Depressor septi nasi muscle
  • Orbicularis oculi muscle
  • Corrugator supercilii muscle
  • Depressor supercilii muscle
  • Auricular muscles (anterior, superior and posterior)
  • Orbicularis oris muscle
  • Depressor anguli oris muscle
  • Risorius
  • Zygomaticus major muscle
  • Zygomaticus minor muscle
  • Levator labii superioris
  • Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle
  • Depressor labii inferioris muscle
  • Levator anguli oris
  • Buccinator muscle
  • Mentalis

The platysma is supplied by the facial nerve. Although it is mostly in the neck and can be grouped with the neck muscles by location, it can be considered a muscle of facial expression due to its common nerve supply.

The stylohyoid muscle, stapedius, and posterior belly of the digastric muscle are also supplied by the facial nerve but are not considered muscles of facial expression.

These are the muscles only located on the face.

  • Occipitofrontalis muscle
  • Temporalis muscle
  • Procerus muscle
  • Nasalis muscle
  • Depressor septi nasi muscle
  • Orbicularis oculi muscle
  • Corrugator supercilii muscle
  • Depressor supercilii muscle
  • Auricular muscles (anterior, superior and posterior)
  • Orbicularis oris muscle
  • Depressor anguli oris muscle
  • Risorius muscle
  • Zygomaticus major muscle
  • Zygomaticus minor muscle
  • Levator labii superioris muscle
  • Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle
  • Depressor labii inferioris muscle
  • Levator anguli oris muscle
  • Buccinator muscle
  • Mentalis muscle
  • Platysma muscle
  • Masseter muscle

Most of these muscles receive innervation from the facial nerve and participate in facial expression except for the masseter muscle. The innervation of the masseter muscle is via the trigeminal nerve, and this muscle participates in mastication.

The human face is composed of multiple muscles that control the fine movements that produce facial expressions. The human face is composed of numerous muscles that control fine movement to produce facial expressions. Unlike other muscles, these muscles originate on bone or fascia of the face and attach directly to the skin, allowing it to be manipulated.

Orbital Group

.

  • Orbicularis Oculi: A thin muscle that surrounds the eye socket.
    • Attachments: Originates from the skull around the eye socket and attaches to ligaments found in the eyelid.
    • Actions: Closes the eyelid
  • Corrugator Supercilii: A small muscle located superiorly to the orbicularis oculi.
    • Attachments: Originates from the bone below the eyebrow and attaches to the skin directly above.
    • Actions: Draws the eyebrows together.

Nasal Group

The nasal group of muscles are associated with movements of the nose and surrounding skin.

  • Nasalis: The largest of the nasal muscles. It is split into two sections: alar and transverse.
    • Attachments: Originates from the upper jaw. The alar section attaches to the cartilage of the nose and the transverse section to an aponeurosis covering the bridge of the nose.
    • Actions:  The transverse section closes the nostrils and the alar part opens them.
  • Procerus: The most superior of all facial muscles.
    • Attachments: Originates from the nasal bone attaching to the skin of the forehead.
    • Actions: Pulls the eyebrows down.

Oral Group

Facial Muscles - Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply, Functions

Location of the buccinator muscle: Highlighted in orange, the buccinator is associated with the cheeks directly lateral to the mouth

Muscles of the oral group play key roles in respiration, communication, eating, and drinking. The lips in particular are controlled by numerous small muscles.

  • Orbicularis Oris: Muscle fibers that enclose the opening to the oral cavity.
    • Attachments: Originates from the upper jaw and muscles of the cheek and attaches to the lips.
    • Action: Purses the lips.
  • Buccinator: This muscle is located between the upper and lower jaws in the cheek, deep to the other muscles of the face.
    • Attachments: It originates from upper and lower jaw and attaches to the lips and orbicularis oris.
    • Actions: The buccinator pulls the cheek inwards.

Other Muscles of the Mouth

  • The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi is the muscle of the upper lip. It acts to lift the upper lift and dilates the nostril, producing a snarling expression.
  • The levator anguli oris (caninus) inserts at the corners of the mouth at an angle and is associated with other muscles including the zygomaticus, triangular, and orbicularis oris. When innervated, this muscle contracts to lift the corners of the mouth, producing part of the expression of a smile.
  • The depressor anguli oris (triangularis) is also associated with the corners of the mouth. Located opposite to the levator anguli oris, it pulls the corners of the mouth downward, producing a frown.
  • The levator labii superioris is a broad muscle responsible for elevation of the upper lip. This muscle originates at the side of the nose and has several insertion points on either side of the nose, extending down to the lip, and inserting at both lateral and frontal portions of the upper lip.
  • The depressor labii inferioris is an analogous muscle that lowers the bottom lip.
  • The zygomatic muscle, associated with the cheeks, is divided into two parts: the major and the minor. The zygomaticus major draws the mouth upward and outward to generate a smile. The zygomaticus minor inserts into the outer part of the upper lip, not the angle of the mouth as with the major. When innervated, contraction of this muscle draws the lip backward, upward, and outward and is associated with facial expressions conveying sadness.
  • The mentalis, associated with the tip of the chin, is a paired muscle. Sometimes referred to as the pouting muscle, contraction of the mentalis causes the lower lip to be pushed upwards and wrinkles the chin.
  • The risorius muscle is lateral to the orbicularis oris and inserts into the angle of the mouth. When innervated, the risorius pulls the mouth back mimicking a smile, but does not affect the skin around the smile As a result, this facial expression is often interpreted as insincere.

Key Terms

depressor labii inferioris: An analogous muscle that lowers the bottom lipEndFragment

Buccinator: This muscle is located between the upper and lower jaws in the cheek, deep to the other muscles of the face.

zygomatic: This muscle controls the cheeks to create smiles and frowns.

Procerus: The most superior of all facial muscles.

depressor anguli oris: This muscle is opposite to the levator anguli oris and pulls the corners of the mouth downward, producing a frown.

levator labii superiori: Abroad muscle responsible for elevation of the upper lip.

Orbicularis Oris: Muscle fibers that enclose the opening to the oral cavity.

Nasalis: The largest of the nasal muscles. It is split into two sections: alar and transverse.

risorius: This muscle pulls the mouth back mimicking a smile, but does not affect the skin around the smile.

Corrugator Supercilii: A small muscle located superiorly to the orbicularis oculi.

Orbicularis Oculi: A thin muscle that surrounds the eye socket.

mentalis: This muscle pushes the lower lip uppers and wrinkles the chin.

levator labii superioris alaeque nasi: The muscle of the upper lip. It acts to lift the upper lift and dilates nostril, producing a snarling expression.

The human face is composed of numerous muscles that control fine movement to produce facial expressions. Unlike other muscles, these muscles originate on the bone or fascia of the face and attach directly onto the skin, allowing it to be manipulated. The facial muscles can be split into three groups: orbital, nasal and oral.

Chewing Muscles

Mastication, or chewing, involves the adduction and lateral motions of the jaw bone. It is controlled by four muscles of the face. Differentiate between the actions of the masseter and the temporalis muscles in chewing. The masseter elevates the jaw, closing the mouth. The temporalis elevates and retracts the jaw. The lateral pterygoid is the only muscle of mastication that actively opens the jaw. Unilateral action of a lateral pterygoid produces lateral movement in the jaw, usually performed in concert with the medial pterygoids. The medial pterygoid elevates and closes the jaw, contributes to the protrusion of the mandible, and assists in mastication.

  • Masseter: The most powerful muscle of mastication. It is quadrangular in shape and split into two regions, deep and superficial. It covers the other muscles of mastication.
    • Attachments: The superficial region originates from the skull below the eye socket, while the deep part originates from the skull above the jaw. Both parts attach to the jaw.
    • Actions: Elevates the jaw.
  • Temporalis: A broad muscle that fans out to cover much of the temporal bone on the side of the skull.
    • Attachments: The temporalis muscle has a wide, fan-shaped origin on the side of the skull and condenses into a tendon that attaches to the jaw.
    • Actions: Elevates and retracts the jaw.
  • Lateral Pterygoid: The lateral pterygoid muscle has a triangular shape with two head, superior and inferior. It is the major protractor (opener) of the jaw.
    • Attachments: Both heads originate adjacent to the eye socket and converge into a tendon which attaches to the jaw.
    • Actions: Together, the lateral pterygoids protract the jaw, working independently to produce lateral movement.
  • Medial Pterygoid: The medial pterygoid muscle has a quadrangular shape with two heads, deep and superficial. It is located inferior to the lateral pterygoid.
    • Attachments: The superficial head originates from the front of the skull and the deep head attaches to the skull adjacent to the eye socket. Both heads attach to the jaw.
    • Actions: Elevates the jaw and assists in the production of lateral movement.

Muscles located in the cheek region

  • Orbicularis oculi muscle (lower border)
  • Levator labii superioris muscle
  • Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle
  • Risorius muscle
  • Levator anguli oris muscle
  • Zygomaticus major and minor muscles
  • Buccinator muscle
  • Masseter muscle

Most of the muscles in the cheek region will participate in facial expression except for the buccinator and the masseter muscle. The buccinator muscle is the muscle closes to the oral cavity. The buccinator muscle is the primary muscle that will participate in supporting the food bolus in the mouth during chewing and swallowing. The masseter muscle is the only muscle located in the cheek region and engages in mastication.

Key Terms

medial pterygoid: A muscle of mastication with two heads. It lies inferiorly to the medial pterygoid.

temporalis: A broad muscle that fans out to cover much of the temporal bone on the side of the skull.

lateral pterygoid: A muscle of mastication with two heads. It lies superior to the medial pterygoid.

masseter: The large muscle which raises the lower jaw, and assists in mastication.

Mastication, or the act of chewing, involves adduction and lateral motion of the jaw bone. It is controlled by four bilateral muscles in the face. The lower jaw, or mandible, connects to the temporal bone of the skull via the temporomandibular joint, which allows movement in all planes

Facial Muscles - Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply, Functions

Location of the temporalis muscle and the lateral pterygoid: (a) Highlighted in orange, the temporalis muscle is a broad muscle extending from zygomatic bone. (b) Arrows indicate the location of the lateral pterygoid, highlighted with the medial pterygoid in orange.

KEY MOVEMENTS

Elevation of the Jaw: Produced by the masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid.

Depression of the Jaw: Produced by the lateral pterygoid, assisted by the digastric, mylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles found in the neck.

Protraction of the Jaw: Produced by the lateral pterygoid.

Retraction of the Jaw: Produced by the temporalis.

Lateral Movement of the Jaw: Produced by the lateral and medial pterygoid.

Neck Muscles

Cervical muscles are those associated with the front of the neck; vertebral muscles are associated with the vertebral column. Outline the neck muscles and their movements. Numerous muscles contribute to the processes of speaking and swallowing. These muscles can be divided into suprahyoid and ingrahyoid groups based on their locations relative to the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone, located beneath the mandible, acts as a key attachment point for muscles involved in speaking and swallowing. Numerous muscles contribute to both the stabilization and fine movements of the head and neck.

Key Terms

Suprahyoid muscles: A group of muscles located above the hyoid bone, responsible for its elevation which widens the esophagus.

Hyoid bone: shaped bone that sits below the mandible
and in front of the esophagus, facilitating the wide range of movements associated with speaking and swallowing.

Infrahyoid muscles: A group of muscles located below the hyoid bone, responsible for its depression which narrows the esophagus.

Muscles of the neck play important roles in mastication (chewing), swallowing, speaking and supporting and moving the head. All muscles found in the neck are paired, meaning they exist to both the left and right side of the spine.

Muscles Involved in Swallowing and Speaking

Located to the anterior of the neck, these muscles are split into two based on their location relative to the hyoid bone. The U-shaped hyoid bone sits below the mandible and in front of the esophagus, providing a level of protection and facilitating the wide range of muscle activity required for speaking and swallowing.

Suprahyoid Muscles

Facial Muscles - Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply, Functions

Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles of the neck: Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups are named based on their location relative to the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone sits below the mandible and in front of the esophagus, providing a level of protection but also facilitating the wide range of muscle activity required for speaking and swallowing.

The four suprahyoid muscles found above the hyoid bone act in concert to elevate the hyoid bone, assisting with swallowing by widening the esophagus.

  • Stylohyoid: The most superior of the suprahyoid muscles, the stylohyoid originates from the skull and attaches to the hyoid bone.
  • Digastric: The digastric muscle is split into two parts that are connected by a tendon attached to the hyoid bone. The anterior section originates from the mandible and the posterior section from the skull.
  • Mylohyoid: The mylohyoid is a broad flat muscle which forms the floor of the oral cavity. It originates from the mandible and attaches to the hyoid bone.
  • Geniohyoid: The deepest of the suprahyoid muscles, the geniohyoid muscle originates from the mandible and attaches to the hyoid bone.

Infrahyoid Muscles

The four infrahyoid muscles found below the hyoid bone act in concert to depress the hyoid bone during swallowing and speaking, compressing the esophagus.

  • Sternohyoid: A superficial muscle which originates from the sternum and attaches onto the hyoid bone.
  • Omohyoid: Located laterally to the sternohyoid, the omohyoid muscle is split in two parts attached by a tendon. The inferior region originates from the scapula, joins the superior region, and attaches to the hyoid bone.
  • Sternothyroid: Sitting deeper than the sternohyoid, the sternothyroid originates from the sternum and attaches to the thyroid cartilage associated with the hyoid bone.
  • Thyrohyoid: A short continuation of the sternothyroid muscle, the thyrohyoid originates from the thyroid cartilage and attaches to the hyoid bone.

Muscles of the Back and Neck

Facial Muscles - Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply, Functions

Muscles of the back and neck: Muscles of the back and neck play an important role in maintaining posture and the movement of the head and neck.

The muscles of the back and neck are responsible for maintaining posture and facilitating movement of the head and neck. They are divided into three layers.

Superficial Layer

Two muscles in the superficial layer are responsible for rotation of the head.

  • Splenius Capitis: A thick rectangular muscle, the most superior of the neck muscles.
    • Attachments: Originates from the upper spine and attaches to the skull.
    • Actions: Rotates and extend the head and neck.
  • Splenius Cervicis: A small triangular-shaped muscle located immediately below the splenius capitis.
    • Attachments: Originates from the spine and attaches several vertebrae higher.
    • Actions: Rotate and extend the head and neck.

Intermediate Layer

Three columnar muscles in the intermediate layer are responsible for flexion and extension of the neck as well as posture maintenance. All three originate from a common tendon associated with the pelvis and can be divided into thoracic, cervicis, and capitis regions.

  • Iliocostalis: The most laterally located of the three intermediate muscles.
    • Attachments: Originates from the common tendon and attaches to the ribs and lower neck.
    • Actions: Extends and controls abduction and adduction of the spine and neck.
  • Longissimus: Located between the iliocostalis and spinalis muscles, this is the largest of the intermediate layer muscles.
    • Attachments: Originates from the common tendon and attaches to the lower ribs, the spine, and the skull.
    • Actions:  Extends and controls abduction and adduction of the spine and neck.
  • Spinalis: The most medially located and smallest of the three intermediate layer muscles.
    • Attachments: Originates from the common tendon and attaches to the upper spine and skull.
    • Actions:  Extends and flexes to control abduction and adduction of the spine and neck.

Deep Layer

Two muscles in the deep layer are responsible for maintenance of posture and rotation of the neck.

  • Semispinalis: The semispinalis is the most superficial of the deep muscles.
    • Attachments: A broad origin on the upper regions of the spine, with each origin attaching several vertebrae higher or to the skull.
    • Actions: Extends and rotates the head and maintains posture.
  • Multifidus: The multifidus is located underneath the semispinalis muscle and is key in maintaining posture.
    • Attachments: A broad origin up the length of the spine, with each origin attaching several vertebrae higher.
    • Actions: Maintains posture through the spine.

Other Muscles That Act on the Neck

Several other muscles act on the head and neck. Below are three with a larger impact.

  • Trapezius: The trapezius is the most superficial muscle of the back and forms a broad flat triangle.
    • Attachments: The trapezius originates from the skull and spine of the upper back and neck. It attaches to the clavicle and scapula.
    • Actions: The superior region supports the arm and elevates and rotates the scapula. It controls adduction, abduction and rotation of the head, the intermediate region retracts the scapula, and the inferior region rotates and depresses the scapula.
  • Sternocleidomastoid: A thick rectangular muscle that is responsible for many movements within the neck.
    • Attachments: Dual-headed, the sternocleidomastoid originates from the clavicle and the sternum and attaches to the mandible.
    • Actions: Abduction, adduction, extension, flexion, and rotation of the neck depending on intra and inter-muscle contractions.
  • Platysma: A broad sheet of muscle arising from the fascia covering the pectorals.
    • Attachments: Originates from the fascia covering the pectorals and attaches to various locations within the mandible and dermis of the face and neck.
    • Actions: Depresses the mandible and angles the lip and mouth, wrinkling the skin upon the neck flexing.

KEY MOVEMENTS

The extension (tilting head backwards): Produced by the semispinalis, splenus capitis, longissimus, trapezius (superior fibers), and sternocleidomastoid (posterior fibers).

Flexion (tilting head forwards): Produced by the sternocleidomastoid (anterior fibers).

Abduction (tilting head towards shoulder): Produced by the sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, splenius capitis, semispinalis, and trapezius (superior fibers)

Adduction (returning head to midline): Produced by the sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, splenius capitis, semispinalis, and trapezius (superior fibers)

Rotation (rotation head to left or right): Produced by the sternocleidomastoid, longissimus, splenius capitis, semispinalis, and trapezius (superior fibers)

References

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Care roadmap for: Facial Muscles – Origin, Insertion, Nerve Supply, Functions

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
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Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
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  3. Adenoid Hypertrophy

    DefinitionAdenoid hypertrophy? means the adenoids are bigger than normal. The adenoids are soft lymph tissue at the back of the nose, high in the throat, and...

    April 4, 2026 • Rx ENT, Oral and Dental Health (A - Z)
  4. Undescended Shoulder Disease

    DefinitionUndescended shoulder disease is not the usual medical name. Doctors usually call this condition Sprengel deformity, Sprengel shoulder, congenital? high scapula, or congenital? elevation of the...

    April 3, 2026 • Degenerative Bones, Joints, and Spine Care (A - Z)
  5. Sprengel Deformity

    DefinitionSprengel deformity is a birth condition in which one shoulder blade, called the scapula, stays higher than normal because it does not move down to its...

    April 2, 2026 • Degenerative Bones, Joints, and Spine Care (A - Z)
  6. High Scapula

    DefinitionHigh scapula is a condition where one shoulder blade sits higher than normal on the back from birth. Doctors usually call it Sprengel deformity, congenital? high...

    April 2, 2026 • Degenerative Bones, Joints, and Spine Care (A - Z)
  7. Upward Displacement of the Scapula

    DefinitionUpward displacement of the scapula usually means congenital? elevation of the scapula, which is most often called Sprengel deformity or Sprengel shoulder. In this condition, one...

    April 2, 2026 • Degenerative Bones, Joints, and Spine Care (A - Z)
  8. Congenital Iris Ectropion

    DefinitionCongenital? iris ectropion is more commonly called congenital? ectropion uveae. It is a rare developmental eye condition present from birth in which the dark pigment layer...

    April 2, 2026 • Rx Eye & Vision Care (A - Z)
  9. Congenital ectropion uveae

    DefinitionCongenital? ectropion uveae, often shortened to CEU, is a very rare eye condition present from birth. In this condition, the dark pigment layer that normally stays...

    April 2, 2026 • Rx Autoimmune, Genetic and Rare Diseases (A - Z)
  10. DPM1-CDG Dolichyl-Phosphate Mannosyltransferase 1 Catalytic Subunit Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation

    DefinitionDPM1-CDG means dolichyl-phosphate mannosyltransferase 1 catalytic subunit congenital? disorder of glycosylation. It is a very rare inherited metabolic disease. In this condition, the DPM1 gene does...

    April 1, 2026 • Rx Autoimmune, Genetic and Rare Diseases (A - Z)