HumanMusclesHead

Muscles of Human Head

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This page is intended to list all muscles of biological human in the head area. Related findings are structured by other research themes.

Coverage verified by:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book:Muscular_system
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_muscles_of_the_human_body
• https://www.msu.edu/user/vosskurt/Miscellaneous%20pages/musnvrt.htm

TARGET.TEA.FACE

Face

(generated)

• [- depressor anguli oris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depresses angle of mouth}
• [- depressor labii inferioris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depress the lower lip}
• [- levator anguli oris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={smile (elevates angle of mouth)}
• [- levator labii superioris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={elevates the upper lip}
• [- mentalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={elevates and wrinkles skin of chin, protrudes lower lip}
• [- orbicularis oris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={pucker the lips}
• [- risorius muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draw back angle of mouth}
• [- transverse muscle of the chin]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={assist with pulling the lower lip downward and help to tighten the skin over the chin}
• Zygomatic muscles
  • [- zygomaticus minor muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={elevates upper lip}
  • Zygomaticus major muscle
    • [- zygomaticus major muscle, buccal]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}
    • [- zygomaticus major muscle, proper]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}

Endocrine

(generated)

• Endocrine - pancreas; ACTION={prepare the body for a meal}
  • [- pancreas, parasympathetic]; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={vagus nerve, celiac branch}; ACTION={release parathyroid hormones into blood}
  • [- pancreas, sympathetic]; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={greater thoracic splanchnic nerve}; ACTION={release parathyroid hormones into blood}
• [- parathyroid gland]; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={middle cervical ganglion, thyroid branches}; ACTION={release parathyroid hormones into blood}
• [- pituitary gland]; TYPE={gland}; ACTION={Release hormones by request from HT}
• [- thyroid gland]; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={middle cervical ganglion, thyroid branches}; ACTION={release thyroid hormones into blood}

Scalp/Eyelid

(generated)

• [- lacrimal gland]; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={petrosal nerve, greater, to lacrimal gland}; ACTION={secrete the aqueous layer of the tear film}
• [- corrugator supercilii muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={wrinkles forehead}
• [- depressor supercilii muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={depression of eyebrow}
• Occipitofrontalis muscle
  • [- frontalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={raises the eyebrows}
  • [- occipitalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={auricular nerve, posterior, occipital branch}; ACTION={moves the scalp back}

TARGET.TSA.EYE

Extraocular muscles

(generated)

• [- inferior tarsal muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={internal carotid nerve, to tarsal muscle}; ACTION={lower lid retraction}
• [- levator palpebrae superioris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={oculomotor nerve}; ACTION={retracts/elevates eyelid}
• [- orbicularis oculi muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={ciliary nerves, sympathetic fibers; facial nerve, temporal branch; facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={closes the eyelids}
• [- superior tarsal muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={internal carotid nerve, to tarsal muscle}; ACTION={raise the upper eyelid}
• Oblique
  • [- inferior oblique muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={oculomotor nerve, inferior branch}; ACTION={extorsion, elevation, abduction}
  • [- superior oblique muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={trochlear nerve}; ACTION={primary: intorsion, secondary:abduct (laterally rotate) and depress the eyeball}
• Rectus
  • [- inferior rectus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={oculomotor nerve, inferior branch}; ACTION={depression and adduction}
  • [- lateral rectus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={abducent nerve}; ACTION={abducts the eyeball}
  • [- medial rectus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={oculomotor nerve, inferior branch}; ACTION={adducts the eyeball}
  • [- superior rectus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={oculomotor nerve, superior branch}; ACTION={elevates, adducts, and rotates medially the eye}

Intraocular muscles

(generated)

• Eye - ciliary muscle
  • [- ciliary muscle - parasympathetic]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={ciliary nerves, short, parasympathetic fibers}; ACTION={accommodation inhibition}
  • [- ciliary muscle - sympathetic]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={ciliary nerves, sympathetic fibers}; ACTION={accommodation excitation}
• [- iris dilator muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={ciliary nerves, sympathetic fibers}; ACTION={pupil dilation}
• [- iris sphincter muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={ciliary nerves, short, parasympathetic fibers}; ACTION={constricts pupil}
• [- orbitalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={ciliary nerves, sympathetic fibers}; ACTION={protrusion of eyeball}

TARGET.TSA.EAR

Ear

(generated)

• Auricular muscles
  • [- anterior auricular muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={pulls ear forward}
  • [- oblique muscle of auricle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={auricular nerve, posterior, auricular branch}; ACTION={movement of the ears}
  • [- posterior auricular muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={auricular nerve, posterior}; ACTION={pulls ear backward}
  • [- superior auricular muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={auricular nerve, posterior}; ACTION={pulls ear upward}
• [- outer hair cells]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={cochlear nerve}; ACTION={contracts basilar membrane; mechanically amplify low-level sound that enters cochlea}
• [- stapedius muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={stapedius nerve}; ACTION={control the amplitude of sound waves to the inner ear}
• [- temporoparietalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={assist the frontal belly in drawing the epicranial aponeurosis towards the front of the cranium}
• [- tympanic membrane muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={nerve to tensor tympani}; ACTION={tensing the tympanic membrane}

TARGET.TSA.NOSE

Nose

(generated)

• [- procerus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draws down the medial angle of the eyebrow giving expressions of frowning}
• [- depressor septi nasi muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={depression of nasal septum}
• [- levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={dilates the nostril; elevates the upper lip and wing of the nose}
• [- nasal glands]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={anterior - moisturize the nasal mucosa; bowman - help the olfactory region with smelling}
• [- nasalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={compresses bridge, depresses tip of nose, elevates corners of nostrils, dilation of nostrils}

TARGET.TEA.MOUTH

Mouth

(generated)

• [- buccinator muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={compress the cheeks against the teeth (blowing), mastication}
• [- depressor anguli oris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depresses angle of mouth}
• [- depressor labii inferioris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depress the lower lip}
• [- levator anguli oris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={smile (elevates angle of mouth)}
• [- levator labii superioris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={elevates the upper lip}
• [- mentalis muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={elevates and wrinkles skin of chin, protrudes lower lip}
• [- orbicularis oris muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={pucker the lips}
• [- risorius muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draw back angle of mouth}
• [- transverse muscle of the chin]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={assist with pulling the lower lip downward and help to tighten the skin over the chin}
• Zygomatic muscles
  • [- zygomaticus minor muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={elevates upper lip}
  • Zygomaticus major muscle
    • [- zygomaticus major muscle, buccal]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}
    • [- zygomaticus major muscle, proper]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}

Mastication

(generated)

• [- buccinator muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={compress the cheeks against the teeth (blowing), mastication}
• [- masseter muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={masseteric nerve}; ACTION={elevation (as in closing of the mouth) and retraction of mandible}
• [- parotid gland]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={petrosal nerve, lesser}; ACTION={major salivary gland; promotes the secretion of saliva}
• [- sublingual gland]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={sublingual nerve}; ACTION={one of major salivary glands; promotes the secretion of saliva}
• [- submandibular gland]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={chorda tympani, parasympathetic}; ACTION={one of major salivary glands; promotes the secretion of saliva}
• [- temporal muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={temporal nerves, deep}; ACTION={elevation and retraction of mandible}
• [- hard palate mucous gland]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={palatine nerve, greater, parasympathetic fibers}; ACTION={lubrication and buffering as well as secretion of some antibodies; moist surface}
• [- soft palate mucous gland]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={palatine nerves, lesser, parasympathetic fibers}; ACTION={lubrication and buffering as well as secretion of some antibodies; moist surface}
• Pterygoid muscles
  • [- lateral pterygoid muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={pterygoid nerve, lateral}; ACTION={depresses mandible}
  • [- medial pterygoid muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={pterygoid nerve, medial}; ACTION={elevates mandible, closes jaw, helps lateral pterygoids in moving the jaw from side to side}
• [- parotid gland vasoconstrictors]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={external carotid nerve}; ACTION={reduces glandular bloodflow, thereby decreasing the volume of fluid in salivary secretions, producing an enzyme rich mucous saliva}
• [- sublingual gland vasoconstrictors]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={external carotid nerve}; ACTION={reduces glandular bloodflow, thereby decreasing the volume of fluid in salivary secretions, producing an enzyme rich mucous saliva}
• [- submandibular gland vasoconstrictors]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={external carotid nerve}; ACTION={reduces glandular bloodflow, thereby decreasing the volume of fluid in salivary secretions, producing an enzyme rich mucous saliva}

Tongue

(generated)

• Extrinsic
  • [- chondroglossus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={depresses tongue}
  • [- genioglossus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={complex - inferior fibers protrude the tongue, middle fibers depress the tongue, and its superior fibers draw the tip back and down}
  • [- hyoglossus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={depresses tongue}
  • [- palatoglossus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={vagus nerve, pharyngeal plexus}; ACTION={raising the back part of the tongue}
  • [- styloglossus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={elevates and retracts tongue}
• Intrinsic
  • [- inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={shortens, retracts, pulls tip downward}
  • [- superior longitudinal muscle of tongue]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={shortens, turns tip upward, turns lateral margins upward}
  • [- transverse muscle of tongue]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={narrows and elongates}
  • [- vertical muscle of tongue]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={flattens}

Soft palate

(generated)

• [- levator veli palatini muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={vagus nerve, pharyngeal branch}; ACTION={elevates soft palate}
• [- musculus uvulae muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={palatine nerves, lesser, parasympathetic fibers}; ACTION={elevates and retracts the uvula, thickening the central part of the soft palate}
• [- tensor veli palatini muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={nerve to tensor veli palatini}; ACTION={tension of the soft palate}
• [- palatopharyngeus muscle]; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={vagus nerve, pharyngeal branch}; ACTION={pulls pharynx and larynx}