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.

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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={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depresses angle of mouth}
• *[- depressor labii inferioris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depress the lower lip}
• *[- levator anguli oris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={smile (elevates angle of mouth)}
• *[- levator labii superioris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={elevates the upper lip}
• *[- mentalis muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={elevates and wrinkles skin of chin, protrudes lower lip}
• *[- orbicularis oris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={pucker the lips}
• *[- risorius muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draw back angle of mouth}
• *[- transverse muscle of the chin]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={elevates upper lip}
* *Zygomaticus major muscle*
 * *[- zygomaticus major muscle, buccal]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}
 * *[- zygomaticus major muscle, proper]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, celiac branch}; ACTION={release parathyroid hormones into blood}
* *[- pancreas, sympathetic]*; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalThoracic greater thoracic splanchnic nerve}; ACTION={release parathyroid hormones into blood}

• *[- parathyroid gland]*; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical 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={HumanNervesSpinalCervical middle cervical ganglion, thyroid branches}; ACTION={release thyroid hormones into blood}

Scalp/Eyelid

(generated)

• *[- lacrimal gland]*; TYPE={gland}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial petrosal nerve, greater, to lacrimal gland}; ACTION={secrete the aqueous layer of the tear film}
• *[- corrugator supercilii muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={wrinkles forehead}
• *[- depressor supercilii muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={depression of eyebrow}
• *Occipitofrontalis muscle*

* *[- frontalis muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={raises the eyebrows}
* *[- occipitalis muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial auricular nerve, posterior, occipital branch}; ACTION={moves the scalp back}

TARGET.TSA.EYE

Extraocular muscles

(generated)

• *[- inferior tarsal muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical internal carotid nerve, to tarsal muscle}; ACTION={lower lid retraction}
• *[- levator palpebrae superioris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial oculomotor nerve}; ACTION={retracts/elevates eyelid}
• *[- orbicularis oculi muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical ciliary nerves, sympathetic fibers; HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, temporal branch; HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={closes the eyelids}
• *[- superior tarsal muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical internal carotid nerve, to tarsal muscle}; ACTION={raise the upper eyelid}
• *Oblique*

* *[- inferior oblique muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial oculomotor nerve, inferior branch}; ACTION={extorsion, elevation, abduction}
* *[- superior oblique muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial trochlear nerve}; ACTION={primary: intorsion, secondary:abduct (laterally rotate) and depress the eyeball}

• *Rectus*

* *[- inferior rectus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial oculomotor nerve, inferior branch}; ACTION={depression and adduction}
* *[- lateral rectus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial abducent nerve}; ACTION={abducts the eyeball}
* *[- medial rectus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial oculomotor nerve, inferior branch}; ACTION={adducts the eyeball}
* *[- superior rectus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial oculomotor nerve, superior branch}; ACTION={elevates, adducts, and rotates medially the eye}

Intraocular muscles

(generated)

• *Eye - ciliary muscle*

* *[- ciliary muscle - parasympathetic]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial ciliary nerves, short, parasympathetic fibers}; ACTION={accommodation inhibition}
* *[- ciliary muscle - sympathetic]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesSpinalCervical ciliary nerves, sympathetic fibers}; ACTION={accommodation excitation}

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

TARGET.TSA.EAR

Ear

(generated)

• *Auricular muscles*

* *[- anterior auricular muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, temporal branch}; ACTION={pulls ear forward}
* *[- oblique muscle of auricle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial auricular nerve, posterior, auricular branch}; ACTION={movement of the ears}
* *[- posterior auricular muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial auricular nerve, posterior}; ACTION={pulls ear backward}
* *[- superior auricular muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial auricular nerve, posterior}; ACTION={pulls ear upward}

• *[- outer hair cells]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial cochlear nerve}; ACTION={contracts basilar membrane; mechanically amplify low-level sound that enters cochlea}
• *[- stapedius muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial stapedius nerve}; ACTION={control the amplitude of sound waves to the inner ear}
• *[- temporoparietalis muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial nerve to tensor tympani}; ACTION={tensing the tympanic membrane}

TARGET.TSA.NOSE

Nose

(generated)

• *[- procerus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draws down the medial angle of the eyebrow giving expressions of frowning}
• *[- depressor septi nasi muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={depression of nasal septum}
• *[- levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={dilates the nostril; elevates the upper lip and wing of the nose}
• *[- nasal glands]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={anterior - moisturize the nasal mucosa; bowman - help the olfactory region with smelling}
• *[- nasalis muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={compress the cheeks against the teeth (blowing), mastication}
• *[- depressor anguli oris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depresses angle of mouth}
• *[- depressor labii inferioris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={depress the lower lip}
• *[- levator anguli oris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={smile (elevates angle of mouth)}
• *[- levator labii superioris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={elevates the upper lip}
• *[- mentalis muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, marginal mandibular branch}; ACTION={elevates and wrinkles skin of chin, protrudes lower lip}
• *[- orbicularis oris muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={pucker the lips}
• *[- risorius muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draw back angle of mouth}
• *[- transverse muscle of the chin]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={elevates upper lip}
* *Zygomaticus major muscle*
 * *[- zygomaticus major muscle, buccal]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}
 * *[- zygomaticus major muscle, proper]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, zygomatic branch}; ACTION={draws angle of mouth upward and laterally}

Mastication

(generated)

• *[- buccinator muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial facial nerve, buccal branch}; ACTION={compress the cheeks against the teeth (blowing), mastication}
• *[- masseter muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial masseteric nerve}; ACTION={elevation (as in closing of the mouth) and retraction of mandible}
• *[- parotid gland]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial petrosal nerve, lesser}; ACTION={major salivary gland; promotes the secretion of saliva}
• *[- sublingual gland]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial sublingual nerve}; ACTION={one of major salivary glands; promotes the secretion of saliva}
• *[- submandibular gland]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial chorda tympani, parasympathetic}; ACTION={one of major salivary glands; promotes the secretion of saliva}
• *[- temporal muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial temporal nerves, deep}; ACTION={elevation and retraction of mandible}
• *[- hard palate mucous gland]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial pterygoid nerve, lateral}; ACTION={depresses mandible}
* *[- medial pterygoid muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesSpinalCervical 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={HumanNervesSpinalCervical 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={HumanNervesSpinalCervical 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={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={depresses tongue}
* *[- genioglossus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={depresses tongue}
* *[- palatoglossus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, pharyngeal plexus}; ACTION={raising the back part of the tongue}
* *[- styloglossus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={elevates and retracts tongue}

• *Intrinsic*

* *[- inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={shortens, retracts, pulls tip downward}
* *[- superior longitudinal muscle of tongue]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={shortens, turns tip upward, turns lateral margins upward}
* *[- transverse muscle of tongue]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={narrows and elongates}
* *[- vertical muscle of tongue]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial hypoglossal nerve}; ACTION={flattens}

Soft palate

(generated)

• *[- levator veli palatini muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, pharyngeal branch}; ACTION={elevates soft palate}
• *[- musculus uvulae muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial 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={HumanNervesCranial nerve to tensor veli palatini}; ACTION={tension of the soft palate}
• *[- palatopharyngeus muscle]*; TYPE={cranial}; NERVES={HumanNervesCranial vagus nerve, pharyngeal branch}; ACTION={pulls pharynx and larynx}