Bells Palsy Information Site - Understanding Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and facial paralysis.
Bells Palsy Information Site - Understanding Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and facial paralysis.

The Facial Muscles


The arrows point in the direction of the muscle pull.

MuscleAbbr.Action

corrugator

COR

pulls eyebrows together downward and medially

depressor anguli oris

DAO

pulls the corner of the mouth downward as in frowning

dilator naris

DIN

flares nostrils

depressor labii inferioris

DLI

draws lower lip downward and laterally

frontalis

FRO

raises eyebrows

levator anguli oris

LAO

elevates the angle of the mouth

levator labii superioris alaeque nasi

LLA

raises upper lip and dilates nostril

levator labii superioris

LLS

raises upper lip

mentalis

MEN

closes and protrudes the lips

orbicularis oris inferioris

OOI

closes and protrudes the lips

orbicularis oris superioris

OOS

closes and protrudes the lips

orbicularis oculi inferioris

OCI

closes the eye

orbicularis oculi superioris

OCS

closes the eye

platysma

PLA

draws corners of the mouth down, wrinkles neck

procerus

PRO

depresses medial corners of eyebrows (frown), wrinkles forehead

risorius

RIS

draws corner of mouth outward as in smiling

zygomaticus major

ZYJ

raises and draws corner of the mouth laterally (smile)

zygomaticus minor

ZYN

raises and everts upper lip

Major nerve branches: Temporal (T); Zygomaticus (Z); Buccal (B); Mandibular (M)

Not shown:
Buccinator - assists with chewing, blowing and whistling, and mouth closure.
Stapedius - dampens sound levels.