The facial muscles are subcutaneous muscles that control facial expression. They generally originate on bone, and insert on the skin of the face. The facial muscles are innervated by facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). In contrast, the nearby masticatory muscles are innervated by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve (V).
Origin, Insertion and Action of Main Facial Muscles:
| Name | Origin to insertion | Action |
| Epicranius: Frontalis & Occipitalis | Cranial aponeurosis to eyebrows | Raises the eyebrows |
| Orbicularis oculi | Portions of the frontal and maxilla to the Skin around eyes | Blinks and closes eyes |
| Orbicularis oris | Skin around mouth | Closes and protrudes lips |
| Buccinator | Mandible/maxilla to skin around mouth | Flattens cheek against teeth |
| Zygomaticus | Zygomatic bone to corner of lips | Raises corner of mouth |
| Platysma | Fascia of chest to lower border of mandible | Draws mouth downward |
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