Victor Forge
The human face has about 20 muscles that enable essential functions such as chewing and making facial expressions. These muscles are part of the musculoskeletal system and are attached to bones by tendons. Located underneath the chin is the digastric muscle, which is one of six key muscles that assist in the movement of the human jaw. The digastric muscle helps to open the mouth by lowering the mandible. The platysma muscle also starts at the clavicle and runs up the neck to the lower jaw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neck muscles | 30 |
| Location | Under the chin, extending from the jaw to the collarbone |
| Function | Supports and stabilises the head, neck and upper spine; assists with chewing, swallowing, breathing and head movement |
| Types | Superficial, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, scalene, lateral |
| Specific muscles | Digastric, platysma |
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What You'll Learn
- The digastric muscle is one of six key muscles that assist in jaw movement
- The mentalis muscle helps control your lower lip
- Neck muscles support your head and enable various movements
- Facial muscles are responsible for chewing and making expressions
- The platysma muscle runs from the clavicle to the lower jaw
The digastric muscle is one of six key muscles that assist in jaw movement
The human face has about 20 muscles that enable functions such as chewing and making facial expressions. The digastric muscle, also referred to as the digastricus, is a small muscle situated under the jaw. It is one of six key muscles that assist in the movement of the human jaw. The digastric muscle helps to open the mouth by lowering the mandible. The muscle has two bellies, with the anterior belly being the smaller of the two structures, located on the lower border of the mandible. The primary function of the digastric muscle is to elevate the hyoid bone, a small, horseshoe-shaped bone located between the thyroid cartilage and chin. By elevating the hyoid bone, the digastric muscle depresses or lowers the mandible, helping to open the mouth and assisting in swallowing.
The digastric muscle is part of the suprahyoid muscle group, which also includes the mylohyoid and geniohyoid muscles. These muscles work together to depress the mandible when the infrahyoid muscles fix or depress the hyoid bone. The infrahyoid muscles include the omohyoid, sternohyoid, sternothyroid, and thyrohyoid. The suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles work together to facilitate jaw movement and swallowing.
The digastric muscle can be exercised to improve jaw strength and relieve tension. One such exercise involves pushing the bottom of the jaw forward using resistance from the hand. This can be repeated ten times, three times per day, to strengthen the jaw muscles, including the digastric muscle. Another exercise to relieve tension in the digastric muscle involves jutting the chin forward and tilting the head slightly upwards, placing the tips of both thumbs under the chin, one in front of the other.
The digastric muscle is susceptible to various conditions and injuries, including myopathy, atrophy, infectious myositis, lacerations, contusions, and neuromuscular diseases. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a condition that causes acute or chronic pain in the jaw and surrounding face muscles, often due to muscle overuse or repetitive jaw-clenching and teeth grinding. Treatment for conditions affecting the digastric muscle may involve pain-relief medications or, in some cases, muscle repair surgery.
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The mentalis muscle helps control your lower lip
The human face has about 20 main facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. These muscles are typically paired, meaning there is one on the left side of the face and one on the right. Facial muscles are located throughout the face, including the ears, mouth, forehead, nose, and eyes. They run underneath the skin, from the scalp down to the neck.
One of these muscles is the mentalis muscle, which is located towards the centre of the chin and helps control the lower lip. It is sometimes referred to as the "pouting muscle" because it raises the lower lip and causes chin wrinkles. The mentalis muscle originates from the mental protuberance of the mandible near the midline and inserts into the soft tissue and skin of the chin.
The mentalis muscle works in conjunction with the orbicularis oris muscle, which surrounds the mouth and controls the pursing and closing of the lips. Together, these muscles allow the lips to "pout". The orbicularis oris muscle is also involved in kissing, whistling, and playing wind instruments.
In some cases, an overactive mentalis muscle can cause the lower lip to stay elevated and not depress equally to the other side. This condition is known as synkinesis and can be treated by weakening the mentalis muscle through selective neurectomy. This procedure can improve symmetry, oral function, and speech, and possibly decrease lip biting.
The mentalis muscle is just one of the many facial muscles that work together to control movements in the face and enable essential functions such as chewing, smiling, and talking.
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Neck muscles support your head and enable various movements
The neck is a complex structure of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and other connective tissues. The cervical spine, or neck, is the most flexible part of the spine, allowing for large movements as we scan our surroundings.
There are about 30 muscles in the neck, extending from the base of the skull and jaw down to the shoulder blades and collarbone. These muscles support and stabilise the head, neck, and upper back, as well as the upper part of the spine. The neck muscles are part of a complex musculoskeletal system that connects the base of the skull to the torso.
The neck muscles support the head and enable various movements, including moving the head in different directions. The lateral neck muscles control head movements from the base of the skull, allowing the head to twist from side to side and the cervical spine to twist and tilt. The superficial muscles in the back of the neck help extend and rotate the head, while the suboccipital muscles, located just below the occipital bone, help extend the head in different directions. The transversospinalis muscles help move the head forward and backward, as well as tilt it from side to side, and also assist in stabilising the spine.
The neck muscles also assist with chewing, swallowing, and breathing. The anterior muscles of the neck facilitate swallowing and speech by controlling the positions of the larynx and the hyoid bone. The suprahyoid muscles, originating from above the hyoid bone in the chin region, and the infrahyoid muscles, originating below the hyoid bone in the lower neck, work together during swallowing to raise the hyoid bone, the floor of the mouth, and the larynx.
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Facial muscles are responsible for chewing and making expressions
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that enable us to chew and make facial expressions. Facial muscles are located throughout the face, including the ears, mouth, forehead, nose, and eyes. They run underneath the skin, from the scalp down to the neck, and are positioned around facial openings and stretch across the skull and neck.
Facial muscles are the only group of muscles that insert into the skin, originating from bone or fascia. They pull on the skin and exert their effects when contracting. Facial muscles can be further categorized into three groups based on their location in the face: orbicularis oculi, auricular muscles, and buccolabial muscles.
Orbicularis oculi muscles are divided into three parts: palpebral, which closes the eyelid; lacrimal, which is responsible for tear drainage; and orbital, which closes the eyelids. Auricular muscles are found around the ears and allow some people to move their ears. Buccolabial muscles are found in and around the mouth. These include the buccinator, a thin muscle in the cheek that holds it toward the teeth, and the depressor anguli oris, which is on the side of the chin and works with other muscles to produce a frown.
Facial muscles are also responsible for chewing, or mastication, which is the process of grinding food. The four main muscles involved in mastication are the temporalis, medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and masseter muscles. These muscles attach to the rami of the mandible and enable the jaw's movement. Mastication involves several mandibular movements, including elevation, depression, protrusion, retraction, and side-to-side movement.
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The platysma muscle runs from the clavicle to the lower jaw
The human body is a complex structure of bones, muscles, and nerves. The musculoskeletal system, which includes the facial and neck muscles, is responsible for various functions, including chewing, swallowing, breathing, and making facial expressions.
One particular muscle that plays a role in the aesthetics and movement of the chin and neck area is the platysma muscle. This muscle, known for its unique appearance, originates from the clavicle, or collarbone, and extends upwards towards the lower jaw.
The platysma muscle is a thin, sheet-like muscle located in the superficial layer of the neck. It is a voluntary muscle, meaning that its movements can be consciously controlled. The primary function of the platysma muscle is to assist in depressing the lower lip and jaw, allowing for expressions such as frowning or showing disgust.
From an aesthetic perspective, the platysma muscle can be visible in some individuals, especially when contracted. This visibility is often associated with the appearance of a "necklace line" across the neck. Additionally, the platysma muscle contributes to the contour and definition of the chin and jawline.
Furthermore, the platysma muscle can be targeted through specific exercises to relieve tension and improve jaw movement. One such exercise involves jutting the chin forward, tilting the head slightly upwards, and placing the thumbs under the chin while applying pressure with the tongue against the roof of the mouth.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscle that starts at your clavicle and runs up your neck to your lower jaw is known as the platysma muscle.
The digastric muscle is one of six key muscles that assist in the movement of the human jaw. To locate it, place your finger under your chin and try to open your mouth against gentle resistance from your finger.
One way to relieve tension in the digastric muscle is by jutting your chin forward and tilting your head slightly upwards. Then, place the tips of both thumbs under your chin, one in front of the other, and press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Hold this for ten seconds and repeat three times.
