The muscles of facial expressions are:
There are approximately 20 main facial muscles, each contributing to the complex range of facial expressions humans can produce[1][3][4][5]. The facial muscles work together to control various parts of the face, enabling functions such as chewing, speaking, and conveying emotions through facial expressions.
- Corrugator supercilii, which is near the eyebrow and enables frowning.
- The depressor anguli oris primarily pulls the corners of the mouth downward, rather than producing a frown[1][3].
- Depressor labii inferioris, a muscle in your chin that helps control movement in your lower lip.
- Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, which can open your nostrils and lift your upper lip.
- Mentalis, a pair of muscles toward the center of your chin that helps control your lower lip.
- Nasalis, which allows you to flare your nostrils.
- Occipitofrontalis, a muscle that extends from your eyebrows to the top of your skull that can raise your eyebrows and wrinkle your forehead.
- Orbicularis oculi, which closes your eyelids, but also contributes to squinting.
- Orbicularis oris, a circle of muscle around your mouth that closes or purses your lips.
- Procerus, a muscle between your eyebrows that can pull your brows downward and help flare your nostrils.
- Risorius, which is located on each side of your mouth and aids in smiling.
- Zygomaticus major and minor, which allow you to smile.
- Frontalis: the front part of the occipitofrontalis, which raises the eyebrows[1][3].
- Levator labii superioris: raises the upper lip[4].
- Buccinator: compresses the cheek and aids in chewing[4][5].
- Platysma: a neck muscle that contributes to facial expressions, particularly those of fear or disgust[3].
Citations:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21672-facial-muscles
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493209/
[3] https://crystal-touch.nl/our-facial-muscles-and-their-functions/
[4] https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-facial-muscles
[5] https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/muscles/facial-expression/