Athena Vale
The human face has about 20 facial muscles that help us chew and make facial expressions. Our faces are the most sophisticated and context-rich communication tools, and our facial muscles contract and relax with precision and harmony to deliver our messages to the world. One of the most important muscles for communication is the corrugator supercilii, which pulls our eyebrows together when we frown. The frontalis muscle is the only elevator muscle for the brows, and it spans the entire forehead from the eyebrows to the hairline. The orbicularis oculi is another muscle that surrounds the eye and is responsible for closing the eyelids and raising the eyebrows when we are surprised or angry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle that raises the eyebrows | Corrugator Supercilii |
| Location of Corrugator Supercilii | On either side of the nose |
| Function of Corrugator Supercilii | Pulls eyebrows together and draws them down |
| Muscle that lifts the brows | Frontalis |
| Location of Frontalis | Extends from the eyebrow region to the top of the forehead |
| Function of Frontalis | Raises the eyebrows, resulting in wrinkles in the forehead skin |
| Muscle that closes the eyelids and raises the eyebrows | Orbicularis Oculi |
| Function of Orbicularis Oculi | Closes the eyelids and creates crow's feet wrinkles |
| Muscle that pulls eyebrows downward and flares nostrils | Procerus |
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What You'll Learn
The frontalis muscle lifts the eyebrows
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle in the forehead that lifts the eyebrows. It spans the entire forehead from the eyebrows to the hairline. When you raise your eyebrows in surprise or open your eyes wide, you engage the frontalis.
The frontalis muscle is thin and quadrilateral in form, with longer and paler fibres than the occipitalis. It is located on the front of the head and is broader than the occipitalis. The muscle has no bony attachments. Its medial fibres are continuous with those of the procerus muscle, and its intermediate fibres blend with the corrugator and orbicularis oculi muscles, attaching to the skin of the eyebrows. Its lateral fibres are also blended with the latter muscle over the zygomatic process of the frontal bone.
The frontalis muscle is considered by some sources to be a distinct muscle. However, Terminologia Anatomica currently classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle, along with the occipitalis muscle. The frontalis muscle is supplied by the facial nerve and receives blood from the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.
When injecting neuromodulators into the forehead, it is important to consider the balance between the frontalis muscle and the muscles that pull the eyebrows down, such as the orbicularis oculi, corrugators, and procerus muscles. Injecting the frontalis with too much neuromodulator can result in brow ptosis or droop because the muscle can no longer counterbalance the downward pull of the other muscles.
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The corrugator supercilii pulls eyebrows together
The human face has about 20 main facial muscles that are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. One of these muscles is the corrugator supercilii, which pulls the eyebrows together. This muscle is located at the medial end of the eyebrow, with its fibres passing laterally and superiorly from its origin to its insertion point. 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.
The corrugator supercilii is a small, narrow, and pyramidal muscle. It works in conjunction with the orbicularis oculi muscle, which is a circular muscle that surrounds the eye and is responsible for closing the eyelids and creating crow's feet wrinkles. Together, these two muscles draw the eyebrows inward and downward, aiding in frowning and squinting actions. This movement also produces wrinkling of the skin between the eyebrows and above the nose, often referred to as frown lines or "11 lines".
The corrugator supercilii is the principal muscle in the facial expression of suffering. It also helps to shield the eyes from strong sunlight. When activated, it pulls the eyebrows together, which is why it only contracts when an individual frowns. This muscle can be exercised to strengthen it and decrease stress lines on the forehead. One such exercise involves placing the fingertips in the centre of the eyebrows, pushing the brows together while raising them, and holding this position for six seconds.
The corrugator supercilii is one of the most injected sites on the face for cosmetic procedures. Botox injections in this area can help to immobilize the muscle and prevent frowning, which has been found to be helpful for clinically depressed patients. Additionally, injecting neuromodulators into the corrugator supercilii can soften frown lines and reduce the downward pull on the brows, creating a more relaxed and open appearance.
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The orbicularis oculi closes the eyelids and raises eyebrows
The orbicularis oculi is a muscle in humans and animals that closes the eyelids and raises the eyebrows when we are surprised or angry. It is a flat, broad muscle that forms an ellipse around the circumference of the orbit. It surrounds the eye and is responsible for closing the eyelids and creating crow's feet wrinkles.
The orbicularis oculi is considered the sphincter of the eyelids and is involved in facial expression, ocular protection, and reflexes. It is the only muscle capable of closing the eye. The palpebral portion acts involuntarily, closing the lids gently, as in sleep or in blinking. The orbital portion is subject to conscious control. When the entire muscle is brought into action, the skin of the forehead, temple, and cheek are drawn toward the medial angle of the orbit, and the eyelids are firmly closed.
The lacrimal part of the orbicularis oculi draws the eyelids and the ends of the lacrimal canals medialward and compresses them against the surface of the globe of the eye. This part comprises two pieces: Horner's muscle and the muscle of Riolan. The latter helps hold the eyelids together to keep the lacrimal passage waterproof. The palpebral part results in finer control of the eyelids. These muscle fibres pull the upper eyelids down and raise the lower ones.
The lateral portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle acts as a depressor to the lateral tail of the eyebrow. This directly contributes to the eyes' closure and creates the crow's feet wrinkles. The orbicularis oculi muscle aids in the lymphatic drainage as well.
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The procerus pulls eyebrows down and flares nostrils
The procerus is a small, pyramid-shaped muscle located in the midline between the eyebrows, above the nasal bone. It is involved in facial expressions, such as frowning, and those associated with attentional control. It also indirectly helps to shield the eyes from bright light.
The procerus pulls the eyebrows down and together, allowing a person to scowl. It also has a secondary function in flaring the nostrils. This muscle contributes to wrinkle formation on the nasal bridge and is, therefore, often targeted in non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments, such as botulinum toxin injections.
The procerus is one of about 20 facial muscles essential for chewing and making facial expressions. These muscles are typically paired, with one on the left side of the face and one on the right. They receive signals from the brain via the facial nerve, allowing for the control of facial movements and expressions.
The procerus is located near other muscles that affect eyebrow movement, including the corrugator supercilii, which pulls the eyebrows together when a person frowns, and the frontalis, which is the only muscle in the forehead that lifts the brows. The orbicularis oculi is another muscle that raises the eyebrows when someone is surprised or angry, and it also closes the eyelids.
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The depressor supercilii aids corrugator in depressing the brow
The human face has about 20 facial muscles, which are essential for chewing and making facial expressions. The corrugator supercilii muscle is a depressor muscle that draws the eyebrows inward and downward, aiding in frowning and squinting. It is located at the inner part of the eyebrows and runs diagonally toward the center of the forehead. When contracted, it pulls the eyebrows together and downward, creating vertical frown lines between the brows.
The depressor supercilii is an eye muscle that depresses the eyebrow to form oblique lines. It originates on the medial orbital rim, near the lacrimal bone, and inserts on the medial aspect of the bony orbit, inferior to the corrugator supercilii. The corrugator supercilii and depressor supercilii muscles work together to maintain a balanced brow position and shape.
The corrugator supercilii muscle is often targeted by cosmetic surgeons to reduce the appearance of frown lines and create a more relaxed and open facial expression. Injecting neuromodulators into the corrugator supercilii softens these frown lines and reduces the downward pull on the brows. Similarly, the orbicularis oculi muscle, when injected with neuromodulators, can reduce crow's feet wrinkles and create a subtle brow lift.
The depressor supercilii aids the corrugator supercilii in depressing the brow by working together to pull the eyebrows downward and medially, creating frown lines and aiding in squinting. The depressor supercilii's individual effect on the movement of the eyebrow and skin of the glabella is also recognized by many dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons.
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Frequently asked questions
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle in the forehead that lifts the brows. It spans the entire forehead from the eyebrows to the hairline.
The corrugator supercilii muscle draws the eyebrows down and inward, creating frown lines.
The procerus muscle, located between the eyebrows, pulls them downward. The orbicularis oculi muscle surrounds the eye and raises the eyebrows when we are surprised or angry.
The frontalis muscle is responsible for raising the eyebrows, resulting in wrinkles in the forehead skin.
The corrugator supercilii muscle is responsible for pulling the eyebrows together and creating frown lines when contracted.
