Facial muscle

Facial muscles are a group of superficial skeletal muscles originating primarily from the bones of the skull and inserting into the skin of the face and scalp. They are generally subdivided into functional groups related to the mouth (buccolabial), nose (nasal), eye (orbital), ear (auricular), and scalp/neck (epicranial/platysma). The primary biological function is to produce facial expressions crucial for nonverbal communication, mood expression, and protection of facial orifices. Unlike most skeletal muscles, facial muscles (except buccinator) are not surrounded by fascia and are innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The blood supply is provided mainly by branches of the external and internal carotid arteries, especially the facial artery. Therapeutically, facial muscles are not targets for conventional molecular drugs, but their activity is modulated in treatments involving botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic and medical indications.

Other names

Muscles of facial expressionMimetic musclesCraniofacial muscles

Blockade of acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junction (Botox); Local inhibition of muscle contraction