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There is no definitive answer to the question of how many muscles are used to smile. Sources suggest that it takes 10, 13, 22, or 26 muscles to smile, but it is difficult to measure accurately. It is generally agreed that it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of muscles to smile | 10 |
| Maximum number of muscles to smile | 43 |
| Average number of muscles to smile | 22 |
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What You'll Learn
It takes 13 muscles to smile
The number of muscles used to smile is often compared to the number of muscles used to frown, with the idea being that it takes more muscles to frown and therefore smiling is easier and conserves energy. However, the exact number of muscles used to frown is also debated, with sources suggesting anywhere between 37 and 50 muscles.
The saying that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile has been around for a long time, but there is still no real agreement on the exact number of muscles used for each expression. This is partly because it is difficult to define what constitutes a smile, as some people include the muscles around the eyes while others only consider the muscles necessary to lift the corners of the mouth.
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It takes 47 muscles to frown
The saying goes that smiling conserves energy, and it's certainly the case that smiling is a gesture of friendliness in most areas of the world. But what does a smile really say? Aside from an exercise in muscle tension, a smile can convey a range of emotions and intentions.
The number of muscles used in a smile or frown depends on the type of smile or frown. For example, a smile that only raises the corners of the lips and the upper lip uses 10 muscles, while a more genuine smile that also involves the muscles around the eyes would use more.
The same is true for frowns. A subtle frown that only lowers the corners of the mouth uses the same number of muscles as the subtle smile described above. So, while it's true that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, the exact number depends on the type of expression and how it's formed.
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The number of muscles used depends on the type of smile
The number of muscles used to smile depends on the type of smile.
A restrained, mouth-only smile uses 10 muscles, with two muscle pairs raising the upper lip and three raising the corners of the mouth. However, some people argue that a smile involves the muscles around the eyes, too.
The number of muscles used to smile is also up for debate. Some sources claim that it takes 13 muscles to smile, while others say 22 or 43.
It is generally agreed that it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown. While some sources claim that it takes 37 or 47 muscles to frown, others say that it takes 50.
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The number of muscles used depends on the type of frown
It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. The exact number of muscles used to frown is disputed, with estimates ranging from 37 to 50. However, it is generally agreed that a frown uses more muscles than a smile, which only requires 13 muscles.
The number of muscles used to frown depends on the type of frown. A frown can be produced by contracting the muscles around the eyes and lifting the corners of the mouth. This type of frown may use fewer muscles than a full-face frown, which involves more muscles in the forehead and around the eyes.
The muscles used to frown are controlled by the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve. This nerve exits the cerebral cortex and emerges from the skull just in front of the ears. It then splits into five primary branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical. These branches reach different areas of the face and allow the face to twist and contort into a variety of expressions, including frowns.
While the exact number of muscles used to frown may vary, it is clear that frowning requires more muscle activity than smiling. This is why smiling is often encouraged as a way to conserve energy and promote a positive outlook.
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The muscles around the eyes are involved in smiling
It is commonly said that it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown. However, there is no real agreement as to how many muscles are involved in producing a smile. Some sources state that it takes 13 muscles to smile, while others suggest it could be 17, 22, 26 or 43.
The discrepancy in these figures is likely due to the fact that different smiles use different muscles. For example, a smile that only raises the corners of the lips and the upper lip uses 10 muscles, with two muscle pairs raising the upper lip and three raising the corners of the mouth.
The muscles around the eyes are also involved in smiling. Some people discount this, arguing that only the muscles necessary to lift the corners of the mouth are involved in smiling. However, others argue that the muscles around the eyes are also engaged when we smile.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 13 muscles to smile, although some sources suggest it could be 22 or 10.
It takes 37 or 47 muscles to frown, although one source suggests it could be 50.
It takes more muscles to frown than to smile.
