Victor Forge
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The cheeks, which are considered a part of the digestive system, are complex anatomical structures made of many muscle fibres, blood vessels, fat cells, minor glands, and other tissues. The most prominent muscles found within the cheeks are the masseter and buccinator. The buccinator is the primary muscle involved in cheek compression, and it presses the cheeks to the teeth. The masseter is the largest muscle in the cheek region and its primary function is mastication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the human face | 20 |
| Muscle with the highest contribution to the fullness of the cheek | Masseter |
| Muscle that surrounds the eye socket and extends into the eyelid | Orbicularis oculi |
| Muscle that controls the movement of the eyelids | Orbicularis oculi |
| Muscle that controls the movement of the upper lip | Mentalis |
| Muscle that controls the movement of the lower lip | Depressor labii inferioris |
| Muscle that holds food boluses in the mouth against the teeth during mastication | Buccinator |
| Muscle that helps in the chewing process | Masseter |
| Muscle that aids in maintaining the food in the mouth | Buccinator |
| Muscle that pulls the cheek inwards against the teeth | Buccinator |
| Muscle that helps in whistling and playing wind instruments | Buccinator |
| Muscle that produces movements of the lips | Orbicularis Oris |
| Muscle that blends with the fibers of the orbicularis oris | Buccinator |
| Muscle that demarcates the medial contour of the cheek region | Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi |
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What You'll Learn
The buccinator muscle
The buccinator is innervated by the buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII) and vascularized mainly by the buccal branch of the maxillary artery, with contributions from branches of the facial artery. The buccal fat pad (of Bichat) covers the outer surface of the deep part of the buccinator, separating it from the ramus of the mandible, masseter, and temporalis muscles. The buccinator lies in the same plane and anteriorly to the superior pharyngeal constrictor, being separated from it by the pterygomandibular raphe.
The function of the buccinator muscle is to compress the cheek against the molar teeth and prevent them from getting bitten during mastication. It also contributes to keeping the bolus of food central in the oral cavity and preventing it from escaping into the oral vestibule. The buccinator is the main muscle involved in playing wind instruments, as it expels air from the distended cheeks. This is why it is sometimes referred to as the "trumpeter's muscle."
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The masseter muscle
Singers often experience various types of masseter tension, which can be alleviated with transdermal massages or stretches as part of their vocal warm-up routine. The masseter muscle is also significant in hystricognathous creatures, such as mole-rats, where it passes partially through the infraorbital foramen and connects to the bone on the opposite side. Interestingly, in toothed whales, the masseter muscle has become redundant due to a shift from chewing to swallowing, and it now provides the tissue for acoustic fat bodies used for echolocation.
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The parotid gland
The facial nerve (CN VII) courses through the body of the parotid gland, creating a unique relationship between them that requires careful attention during surgery in this region. The facial nerve divides the parotid gland into two parts, or lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe. The superficial lobe lies lateral to the facial nerve and overlies the lateral surface of the masseter muscle, while the deep lobe lies medial to the facial nerve and is situated between the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the mandibular ramus.
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The orbicularis oris
The buccinator muscle has a crucial function in the cheek compression process, pressing the cheeks against the molar teeth during mastication. This action prevents food from escaping into the oral vestibule and protects the cheeks from being bitten. Additionally, the buccinator muscle plays a role in producing certain sounds, such as whistling or playing wind instruments, by allowing air to be blown from the inflated vestibule through cheek compression.
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The zygomaticus muscles
The zygomaticus major is the larger of the two muscles and is responsible for pulling the angle of the mouth superolaterally, which is essential for smiling and laughing. It works in conjunction with other muscles of facial expression that elevate the lip, allowing for a range of facial expressions such as smiling, disdain, contempt, or smugness. The zygomaticus major is also thought to be responsible for creating cheek dimples when it occurs in a bifid form, with two fascicles that are partially or completely separate from each other.
The zygomaticus minor, on the other hand, is smaller and located medial to the zygomaticus major. It also contributes to laughing and smiling expressions, working in synergy with the zygomaticus major.
Both the zygomaticus major and minor muscles receive their blood supply from the superior labial artery, a branch of the facial artery. They are innervated by the zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII).
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Frequently asked questions
The most prominent muscles in the cheek are the masseter and the buccinator. The buccinator is the primary muscle involved in cheek compression, and it presses the cheeks to the teeth. It also helps in whistling and smiling.
The buccinator muscle forms the muscular basis of the cheek, filling the interval between the maxilla and mandible. It pulls the angle of the mouth and flattens the cheek area, helping to hold the cheek to the teeth during chewing.
The buccinator muscle is also known as the musculus buccae, musculus buccalis or the muscle of the cheek.
The masseter, elevators (levators) of the lips and mouth, and both zygomaticus muscles are also situated in the cheeks.
The masseter muscle is a muscle of mastication, meaning it helps in the chewing process. It runs from the cheek to the side of the jaw and helps the jaw close.
