Logan Steele
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that help us chew and make facial expressions. To frown, we commonly use three muscle pairs to drop the lower lip and turn down the corners of the mouth. The corrugator supercilii, located near the eyebrow, is one of the muscles that enable frowning. The procerus muscle, which lies superficially to the other muscles of facial expression, also pulls the eyebrows downward to produce transverse wrinkles over the nose, which is associated with frowning. The frontalis muscle, which is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows, is another muscle that can be involved in frowning.
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What You'll Learn
- The corrugator supercilii muscle is responsible for frowning and is located near the eyebrow
- The procerus muscle pulls the eyebrows down, creating a frown
- The frontalis muscle is the antagonist to the procerus and is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows
- The occipitofrontalis muscle has two parts, one of which pulls the forehead down, creating a frown
- The depressor anguli oris muscle works with other muscles to produce a frown
The corrugator supercilii muscle is responsible for frowning and is located near the eyebrow
The corrugator supercilii is one of about 20 muscles in the human face that enable essential functions such as chewing and making facial expressions. The facial muscles are part of the skeletal system, or musculoskeletal system, and contain elastic fibres that allow them to contract. Some of these fibres appear dark, while others appear light, giving them a striped (striated) red and white appearance when viewed under a microscope.
The corrugator supercilii is also known as the frowning muscle. It is activated when expressing negative emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness through facial expressions. However, it can also be activated in situations other than the expression of these emotions. For example, individuals may furrow their eyebrows for extended periods while engaging in conversation or exerting mental effort, such as during calculation.
The corrugator supercilii is an antagonist muscle to the frontalis muscle, which is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. The corrugator supercilii pulls the eyebrows down, while the frontalis pulls them up. The balance between these muscles determines the eyebrow position and shape.
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The procerus muscle pulls the eyebrows down, creating a frown
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The procerus muscle is one of the nasal muscles, which lies superficially to the other muscles of facial expression. It originates from the nasal bone and inserts onto the skin of the lower medial forehead.
The procerus muscle pulls the eyebrows downward, creating transverse wrinkles over the nose, which is associated with frowning. This creates a facial expression of frowning to convey emotions of anger or sorrow, or when exposed to bright light or other eye irritants. The procerus acts on its superior attachment to depress the medial ends of the eyebrows and wrinkle the skin over the glabella.
The corrugator supercilii is another muscle involved in frowning. It is a slender muscle found deep to the medial end of the eyebrows. Upon contraction, the corrugator supercilii pulls the eyebrows medially and produces vertical wrinkles over the glabella, creating a frown.
The frontalis muscle is also involved in frowning, as it is the antagonist to the procerus muscle. When the forehead attachment of the frontalis muscle is fixed, contraction of the frontal part pulls the scalp forwards and wrinkles the forehead, producing a frown. The balance between these muscles determines the eyebrow position and shape.
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The frontalis muscle is the antagonist to the procerus and is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that enable essential functions such as chewing and making facial expressions. One such muscle is the frontalis muscle, which covers parts of the forehead of the skull and is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. While some sources consider the frontalis muscle to be distinct, Terminologia Anatomica currently classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the occipitalis muscle. The frontalis muscle is thin, quadrilateral in form, and broader than the occipitalis muscle. Its fibres are longer and paler in colour, and it has no bony attachments. The frontalis muscle is located on the front of the head, with its medial fibres continuous with those of the procerus muscle.
The procerus muscle is the most superior of the nasal muscles and lies superficially to the other muscles of facial expression. It originates from the nasal bone and inserts onto the skin of the lower medial forehead. When the procerus muscle contracts, it pulls the eyebrows downward, producing transverse wrinkles over the nose and conveying emotions of anger or sorrow. The procerus is an antagonist muscle to the frontalis muscle, meaning that the two muscles work in opposition to each other. While the procerus pulls the eyebrows down, the frontalis muscle pulls the eyebrows up. This balance between the muscles determines the eyebrow position and shape, contributing to facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
The corrugator supercilii muscle is another muscle that contributes to frowning. This slender muscle is found deep within the medial end of the eyebrows and pulls the eyebrows medially, producing vertical wrinkles over the glabella. The corrugator supercilii muscle is also an antagonist to the frontalis muscle, along with the orbicularis oculi muscle. These muscles all have cutaneous insertions and a confluence at the glabella and the orbital rim.
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The occipitofrontalis muscle has two parts, one of which pulls the forehead down, creating a frown
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. One of these muscles is the occipitofrontalis muscle, which has two parts: the occipitalis and the frontalis. The occipital part of the occipitofrontalis muscle moves the scalp forwards, and the frontalis part lifts the brows and moves the scalp backward.
The function of the occipitofrontalis depends on which part of the muscle contracts. When the forehead attachment of the frontal part is fixed, the contraction pulls the scalp forwards and wrinkles the forehead, creating a frown. This is distinct from the aponeurotic attachment being fixed, in which case the frontal belly elevates the eyebrows and skin of the forehead, creating an expression of surprise.
The corrugator supercilii is another muscle that is involved in frowning. It is a slender muscle found deep within the medial end of the eyebrows. Upon contraction, the corrugator supercilii pulls the eyebrows medially and produces vertical wrinkles over the glabella, creating a frown.
Facial expressions such as frowning involve the contraction of muscles to pull on the skin and exert an effect. Frowning is associated with negative emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness. Wrinkles between the eyebrows, known as glabellar lines, are a major age-related concern as they contribute to an impression of anger, worry, or ageing. These wrinkles are caused by the repeated contraction of the underlying muscles of facial expression, such as the corrugator supercilii.
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The depressor anguli oris muscle works with other muscles to produce a frown
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The depressor anguli oris muscle, located on the side of the chin, is one of the muscles responsible for producing a frown. This muscle works in conjunction with other muscles to lower the corners of the mouth and the lower lip, contributing to the facial expression of a frown.
The depressor anguli oris muscle is part of a group of muscles called the oral muscles of facial expression, which are responsible for the movements of the mouth and lips. These oral muscles include the orbicularis oris, buccinator, and several smaller muscles. The orbicularis oris is the main sphincter muscle of the lips, controlling their movements. It arises from the maxilla and other cheek muscles, inserting into the skin and mucous membrane of the lips. Meanwhile, the buccinator is a thin, square-shaped muscle located between the mandible and maxilla. Its fibres run in an inferomedial direction, blending with the orbicularis oris and the skin of the lips.
The depressor anguli oris muscle works in harmony with the orbicularis oris and buccinator muscles to produce a frown. By contracting, these muscles pull on the skin and exert their effects, such as lowering the corners of the mouth and dropping the lower lip. This coordinated action results in the facial expression we recognise as a frown.
In addition to the depressor anguli oris and its associated oral muscles, other muscle groups also play a role in frowning. For example, the corrugator supercilii muscle is a slender muscle found deep within the medial end of the eyebrows. When this muscle contracts, it pulls the eyebrows medially and produces vertical wrinkles over the glabella, creating a frown. Another muscle involved in frowning is the procerus, which pulls the eyebrows downward and wrinkles the skin over the nose, contributing to a frowning expression.
While frowning may be associated with negative emotions like anger or sorrow, it is important to recognise that facial expressions are complex and influenced by various muscle groups. The depressor anguli oris muscle is just one component of the intricate facial muscle system that enables us to convey a range of emotions and expressions.
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Frequently asked questions
The corrugator supercilii muscle is the main muscle responsible for frowning. It is a slender muscle found deep within the medial end of the eyebrows. It pulls the eyebrows medially and produces vertical wrinkles over the glabella, creating a frown.
The procerus muscle, the frontalis muscle, and the orbicularis oculi muscle are also involved in frowning. The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that can raise the eyebrows, and its function is essential for conveying emotions and non-verbal communication.
Frown lines, also known as glabellar lines, are caused by the loss of skin and muscle fiber elasticity, as well as repeated contraction of the underlying muscles of facial expression, such as the corrugator supercilii muscle.
No, this is not entirely true. While there is one main muscle responsible for smiling (the zygomaticus major), groups of muscles are necessary for both smiling and frowning.
