Dominic Stone
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. These muscles work together to control the different parts of our face, allowing us to convey emotions and communicate non-verbally. One of the most expressive parts of our face is the eyebrows, and the muscles that control them play a significant role in our day-to-day interactions. The primary muscle responsible for raising the eyebrows is the frontalis muscle, while the corrugator supercilii muscle draws the eyebrows downward and inward, enabling expressions such as frowning or looking surprised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of facial muscles | 20 |
| Muscle that raises eyebrows | Frontalis |
| Muscle that draws eyebrows downward and inward | Corrugator supercilii |
| Muscle that closes the eye | Orbicularis oculi |
| Muscle that pulls brows downward | Procerus |
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What You'll Learn
The frontalis muscle raises the eyebrows
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that work together to control different parts of the face. These muscles are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The frontalis muscle is one such muscle that covers the forehead region of the skull. It is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows.
The frontalis muscle is a pair of large, fan-like muscles that extend from the eyebrow region to the top of the forehead. It originates from the galea aponeurotica and inserts at the skin of the eyebrows and nose. When the frontalis muscle contracts, the vertical fibres pull the skin of the eyebrows upward, resulting in wrinkles in the forehead skin. This muscle is also responsible for wrinkling the forehead horizontally.
The frontalis muscle is considered a weak retractor of the upper eyelids. Elevation of the brow can cause a 2 mm elevation of the upper eyelid. The absence of frontalis over the tail end of the brow accounts for brow hooding, often seen with age. The corrugator supercilii muscle, on the other hand, is responsible for drawing the eyebrows together and downward, enabling expressions such as frowning or looking surprised.
The frontalis muscle is also involved in a "tug-of-war" with other muscles that pull the eyebrows down, such as the orbicularis oculi, corrugators, and procerus muscles. When the frontalis muscle is dominant, the eyebrows lift. However, if the frontalis muscle is relaxed or weakened without addressing the muscles that pull the eyebrows down, it can result in brow ptosis or droop.
The frontalis muscle plays a significant role in our day-to-day social interactions. Its function goes beyond simply keeping the brows out of one's visual field; it is also necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication.
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The corrugator supercilii muscle draws eyebrows downward
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The corrugator supercilii muscle is a small, narrow, pyramid-shaped muscle of the face that draws the eyebrows downward and enables frowning. Located at the inner end of the eyebrow, it is responsible for generating specific facial expressions, particularly frowning or expressing surprise.
The corrugator supercilii muscle is situated at the medial end of the eyebrow, with its fibres passing laterally and superiorly from its origin to its insertion. It arises from the bone at the medial extremity of the superciliary arch and inserts into the deep surface of the skin of the eyebrow. This muscle acts in tandem with the orbicularis oculi muscle, which encircles the eye and is responsible for closing the eyelids.
When contracted, the corrugator supercilii muscle moves the eyebrows downward and together, which often occurs when a person is experiencing emotions such as anger or confusion. This action can be felt by touching the forehead while trying to frown or squint. The muscle is also involved in shielding the eyes from strong sunlight by pulling the eyebrows towards the bridge of the nose, forming a cover.
The corrugator supercilii muscle is sometimes surgically severed or paralysed with botulinum toxin (Botox) for aesthetic reasons or as a preventive treatment for certain types of migraines. Exercises for this muscle include placing the fingertips at the centre of the eyebrows and pushing them together while raising the brows, or trying to squeeze the eyebrows towards the bridge of the nose.
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The procerus muscle pulls eyebrows downward
The procerus muscle is a small, pyramid-shaped muscle that extends from the lower part of the nasal bone to the middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows. It is attached to the frontalis muscle, which is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. The procerus muscle pulls the eyebrows downward, contributing to expressions of anger or frustration. It is also involved in facial expressions such as frowning and those associated with attentional control. Additionally, it helps shield the eyes from bright light and contributes to wrinkle formation on the nasal bridge.
The procerus muscle is one of the muscles that contribute to pulling the eyebrows downward, along with the orbicularis oculi, corrugator, and frontalis muscles. These muscles work in a tug-of-war dynamic, with the eyebrows lifting when the frontalis muscle is dominant and lowering when the downward pull of the other muscles is stronger. This balance is important to consider when injecting neuromodulators into the forehead to achieve a natural result and avoid brow ptosis or droop.
The procerus muscle is supplied by the temporal branch of the facial nerve (VII) and arises from tendinous fibers covering the lower part of the nasal bone and upper part of the lateral nasal cartilage. Its surface is marked with transverse (horizontal) lines, which are targeted in non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Over-activity of the procerus muscle can lead to the development of transverse wrinkles and glabellar frown lines between the eyebrows.
The procerus muscle is an important muscle for facial expressions and controlling eyebrow movement. Its location at the bridge of the nose and function in pulling the skin between the eyebrows downward contribute to specific expressions, such as anger or disdain. By understanding the structure and function of this muscle, researchers in the field of plastic surgery can develop effective treatments for wrinkles and other aesthetic concerns.
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The orbicularis oculi muscle closes the eye
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that work together to control the parts of the face. These muscles are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The orbicularis oculi muscle is a facial muscle that surrounds the eye and is involved in blinking and closing the eye. It is a sphincter-like muscle that arises from the nasal part of the frontal bone and surrounds the circumference of the orbit. The palpebral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle can involuntarily close the eyelids as a reflex mechanism. This protective action helps to keep the eyes hydrated and protects them from potential damage caused by bright light or blowing dust.
The orbicularis oculi muscle is also involved in ocular protection and reflexes. Contraction of the orbital part draws the skin of the forehead and cheeks towards the nose, which can partially or completely close the eyelids. This protective function shields the eyes from potential damage and helps to keep them hydrated. The palpebral part of the muscle provides fine control over the eyelids, allowing for isolated voluntary contraction and gentle closure of the eyelids during blinking or sleeping.
The orbicularis oculi muscle has clinical significance, as paralysis of the facial nerve can lead to an inability to close the eye and blink, resulting in a condition known as dry eye syndrome. This condition is characterised by redness, inflammation, irritation, discharge, and fatigue of the eyes. Additionally, injury to the orbicularis oculi muscle can result from overuse, often due to uncorrected poor eyesight, leading to headaches, eyestrain, and sinus issues.
The orbicularis oculi muscle is a crucial component of the facial musculature, responsible for eyelid closure and protection of the eyes. Its functions contribute to both ocular health and the expression of emotions through facial expressions.
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The occipitofrontalis muscle lifts the scalp and eyebrows
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The occipitofrontalis muscle is one such muscle that lifts the scalp and eyebrows.
The occipitofrontalis muscle is a long and wide muscle of the scalp, spanning from the eyebrows to the superior nuchal lines of occipital bones. It is composed of two muscle bellies: the frontal and occipital bellies, each containing a pair of quadrangular muscle heads. The frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle lifts the eyebrows and moves the scalp backward, while the occipital belly moves the scalp forward.
The frontalis muscle is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle. It is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows, and its function goes beyond keeping the brows out of one's visual field. It is also necessary for conveying emotions and nonverbal communication. The frontalis muscle is made up of vertical striations in a fan-like distribution. It originates posteriorly from the galea aponeurotica, which corresponds with the hairline on the surface. The bulk of the frontalis muscle is located right above the brow.
The occipitofrontalis muscle has several actions depending on which of its attachments is fixed. When its aponeurotic attachment is fixed, the frontal belly elevates the eyebrows and skin of the forehead, producing a facial expression of shock or surprise. When its forehead attachment is fixed, the frontal belly aids the procerus, orbicularis oculi, and corrugator supercilii muscles in frowning by pulling the scalp forward and wrinkling the forehead.
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Frequently asked questions
The eyebrows are controlled by several muscles, including the frontalis, corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi, and procerus muscles.
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. It spans the entire forehead from the eyebrows to the hairline.
The corrugator supercilii muscle is responsible for drawing the eyebrows downward and together, which is associated with expressions of anger, confusion, or surprise.
