The facial muscles are the muscles of the face. Their specificity lies in the fact that they are attached to the bones at one end, and to the skin or other muscles at the other. Each muscle is clothed in a fascia - a connective sheath (thin capsule) that all muscles have. What's happened fascia, every housewife can imagine - when cutting meat, we get rid of white films, which, due to their density, worsen its soft consistency. In relation to the facial muscles, in comparison with the muscles of the body, these membranes are so transparent and thin that from the point of view of classical anatomy it is believed that the facial muscles of the fascia do not. In any case, the surface of each muscle fiber on the face has a denser structure than its interior... These connective tissue membranes are woven into the structure of the entire fascial system of the body (through the aponeuroses).

It is the contractions of the mimic muscles that give our face a variety of expressions, as a result of which the skin of the face shifts and our face takes on one or another expression.

The muscles of the cranial vault

A large percentage of the muscles of the cranial vault are complex in structure supracranial muscle, which covers the main part of the skull and has a rather complex muscular structure. The cranial muscle consists of tendinous and muscular parts, while the muscle part, in turn, is represented by the whole structure of the muscles. The tendon portion is formed from connective tissue, so it is very strong and virtually indestructible. There is a tendon part in order to maximally stretch the muscle part in the areas of its attachment to the bones.

Schematically, supracranial muscle can be represented as the following diagram:

The tendon part is very extensive and is also called the tendon helmet or supracranial aponeurosis. The muscular part consists of three separate muscular abdomen:
1) frontal abdomen located under the skin on the forehead. This muscle consists of vertically running bundles that start above the frontal tubercles, and, heading down, are woven into the skin of the forehead at the level of the brow ridges.

2) occipital abdomen formed by short muscle bundles. These muscle bundles originate in the region of the highest nuchal line, then rise up and are woven into the posterior sections of the tendon helmet. In some sources, the frontal and occipital abdomen are combined into frontal-occipital muscle.

Figure 1. Frontal, occipital abdomen. Tendon helmet.

3) lateral abdomen is located on the lateral surface of the skull and is poorly developed, being the remnant of the ear muscles. It is divided into three small muscles, suitable for the auricle in front:

Lateral abdomen:

• Anterior ear muscle displaces the auricle forward and upward.
• Upper ear muscle shifts the auricle upward, pulls on the tendon helmet. A bundle of fibers of the upper ear muscle, which intertwined in a tendon helmet, called temporoparietal muscle ... Front and upper muscles covered with temporal fascia, so their image in anatomy textbooks is often difficult to find.
• Posterior ear muscles a pulls the auricle back.

Figure 2. Lateral abdomen: anterior, superior, posterior ear muscles

Muscles of the circumference of the eye

The muscles around the eye are made up of three main muscles: muscle wrinkling the eyebrow,muscles of the proud and circular muscle eyes.

Eyebrow puckering muscle, starts from the frontal bone above the lacrimal bone, then goes up and attaches to the skin of the eyebrows. The action of the muscle is to bring the eyebrows to the midline, forming vertical folds around the bridge of the nose.

Figure 3. Eyebrow puckering muscle.

Muscle of the proud (pyramidal muscle)- originates from the nasal bone on the dorsum of the nose and is attached at the other end to the skin. During the contraction of the muscles of the proud, transverse folds form at the root of the nose.

Figure 4. Muscle of the proud

The orbicular muscle of the eye is divided into three parts:

• Orbital, which starts from the frontal process of the upper jaw, and follows along the upper and lower edges of the orbit, forming a ring of muscle;
• The age-old- it is a continuation of the circular muscle and is located under the skin of the eyelid; has two parts - upper and lower. They begin at the medial ligament of the eyelids - the upper and lower edges and go to the lateral corner of the eye, where they attach to the lateral (lateral) ligament of the eyelids.
• Tearful- starting from the posterior crest of the lacrimal bone, it is divided into 2 parts. They cover the lacrimal sac in front and behind and are lost among the muscle bundles of the peripheral part. The peripheral part of this part narrows the palpebral fissure, and also smoothes the transverse folds of the forehead skin; the inner part closes the palpebral fissure; the lacrimal part expands the lacrimal sac.

Figure 5. The orbicular muscle of the eye

Circular muscle of the mouth

The circular muscle of the mouth has the form of a flat muscle plate, in which two layers are distinguished - superficial and deep. The muscle bundles are very tightly adhered to the skin. The deep layer muscle fibers run radially towards the center of the mouth.

Figure 6. The orbicularis muscle of the mouth

The superficial layer consists of two arcuate bundles that surround the border of the lips and are repeatedly intertwined with other muscles that fit the mouth. That is, in the corners of our mouth, in addition to the fibers of the circular muscles of the lip, muscle fibers of the triangular and buccal muscles are also interwoven. This is very important for understanding the biomechanics of aging in the lower part of the face in the section "Spasm of the facial muscles".

The main function of the circular muscle of the mouth is to narrow the mouth and stretch the lips.

Muscular system nose

The muscular system of the nose is shaped following muscles - nasal muscle, muscle that lowers the septum of the nose, muscle that lifts the upper lip and wing of the nose.

Nasal muscle represented by the transverse and wing parts, which perform different functions.

a) Outer, or transverse part, bends around the wing of the nose, expands somewhat and at the midline passes into a tendon, which connects here with the tendon of the muscle of the same name on the opposite side. The transverse part narrows the openings of the nostrils. Let's see the picture:

b) Inner, or wing, attaches to the posterior end of the nasal wing cartilage. The wing portion lowers the wing of the nose.>

Figure 7. The transverse and wing parts of the nasal muscle.

Muscle, lowering the septum of the nose, most often it is part of the wing of the nose. This muscle lowers the septum of the nose and lowers down the middle of the upper lip. Its bundles are attached to the cartilaginous part of the nasal septum.

Figure 8. Muscle lowering the septum of the nose.

Muscle lifting the upper lip and wing of the nose plays a significant role in the formation of nasal folds in conjunction with the nasal muscle and the muscle that lowers the nasal septum. It starts from the upper jaw and attaches to the skin of the wing of the nose and upper lip.

Figure 10. Muscle lifting the upper lip and wing of the nose.

Muscles of the cheekbones

In the area of ​​the cheekbones, there are the small and large zygomatic muscles, the main function of which is to move the corners of the mouth up and to the sides, forming a smile. Like everyone else facial muscles, both zygomatic muscles have a solid upper attachment point - the zygomatic bone. At the other end, they are attached to the skin of the corner of the mouth and the circular muscle of the mouth.

Small zygomatic muscle starts from the buccal surface of the zygomatic bone and attaches to the thickness of the nasolabial fold. By contracting, it raises the corner of the mouth, and changes the shape of the nasolabial fold itself, although this change is not as strong as with the contraction of the zygomaticus major muscle.

Figure 11. Small zygomatic muscle

Big zygomatic muscle is the main muscle of laughter. It attaches simultaneously to both the zygomatic bone and the zygomatic arch. The greater zygomatic muscle pulls the corner of the mouth outward and upward, greatly deepening the nasolabial fold. Moreover, this muscle is involved in every movement in which a person needs to lift the upper lip and pull it to the side.

Figure 12. Large zygomatic muscle

Buccal muscle

The buccal muscle has a quadrangular shape and is muscle base our cheeks. It is positioned symmetrically on both sides of the face. By contracting, the buccal muscle pulls the corners of the mouth back and presses the lips and cheeks to the teeth. Another name for this muscle - "the muscle of the trumpeters", rightly appeared because the muscles of the cheeks affect the compaction and purposefulness of the air stream in musicians playing wind instruments.

The buccal muscle originates from the upper and lower jaw and is woven with the other, narrower end into the muscles surrounding the mouth. The surface of the buccal muscle from the side of the oral cavity is covered with a thick layer of adipose and connective tissue.

Figure 13. Buccal muscle

Muscle lowering the corner of the mouth (triangle muscle)

The muscle that lowers the corner of the mouth is located below the corners of the mouth. In shape, it forms a small muscle triangle, which determined its second name - Triangle muscle. The wide base of the triangular muscle begins at the edge of the lower jaw, and the apex is woven into the circular muscle of the mouth.
The action of this muscle is directly opposite to the action of the zygomatic muscles. If the zygomatic muscles raise the corners of the mouth to create a smile, the triangular muscle lowers the corner of the mouth and the skin of the nasolabial fold. This is how the expression of contempt and displeasure is formed.

Bartzok-course of gymnastics for the face

Maybe you want to remove wrinkles above the upper lip, achieve lip augmentation at home, or tighten sagging lips. All this can be done with just one lip exercise, more precisely, for the circular muscle of the mouth. Correct gymnastics for lips more effective than injections or surgical intervention, as it creates not only the visible shape of the lips, but also improves the quality of the skin, making it more elastic and less susceptible to wrinkles. Plus, returning or augmenting your lips at home is a pleasant, face-toning exercise.

To prepare and perform the exercise, you need a mirror, attention and close monitoring of the workout, and a clean face and hands. It will take you 20-30 minutes to learn how to do the exercise correctly without hurting yourself. Further exercise will take about 1 minute or one and a half minutes when using audio support.

What doing this lip exercise can do:

• prevent or remove wrinkles above the upper lip;
• prevent lip thinning, achieve lip augmentation at home;
• remove sagging lips, eliminate wrinkles on the lips, improve the shape and color of the lips, eliminate their lethargy.

The proposed exercise for the lips is done in an isometric form: the strengthening of the circular muscle of the mouth should occur without stretching the skin.

The orbicularis muscle of the mouth is located around the mouth opening, which is the basis of the structure of the lips. The muscle closes the mouth, pulls the lips forward, provides the shape of the lips. The beginning and attachment of the orbicularis muscle of the mouth: the skin of the corner of the mouth and the skin at the midline of the mouth. Tightening, the muscle contracts towards the center of the mouth.

Close your mouth and purse your lips, straining the circular muscle of the mouth - not the same thing. Pursed lips indicate that the person is unhappy, frowned. Often compressed lips indicate a closed character of a person.

The lips are compressed due to the formation of skin folds over the upper lip. This also applies only to slightly compressed lips, if they do not relax after compression, maintaining residual tension for a long time. Over time, these can develop into early wrinkles. Thus, if, unbeknownst to yourself, you often purse your lips, then soon you will have to decide how to remove wrinkles above the upper lip.

If the lips are compressed extremely rarely, then they begin to lose their shape, becoming pale, lethargic and increasingly thin. By loosening and sagging, the circular muscle of the mouth creates the effect of sagging lips, stretches and wrinkles the skin above the upper lip and it ceases to be smooth and elastic.

An isometric exercise does not pose such a hazard. In addition, such a lip gymnastics exercise is much more energetic.

Regular training of the circular muscle of the mouth without stretching the skin will make it stronger, restore the shape and color of the lips, increase the elasticity of the skin around the mouth and prevent or reduce wrinkles above the upper lip. By learning to control this muscle, you can easily remove the residual muscle tension and use the muscle freely without fear of getting premature wrinkles.

Preparing for a lip gymnastics exercise.

Look at yourself in the mirror and forcefully press your lips towards the center, without pulling them forward. An expression of distrust will be reflected in the mirror.

Now try to compress your lips with all your might. Press your index or middle fingers flat (you can both at once) to the edges of the lips, and gently, but firmly, pull your lips to the sides with your fingers so that the lips can take their usual length. The lips need to be stretched exactly to their normal length so that folds do not form on the cheeks. This will make your lips look tight and flat. Feel and remember the force that your fingers had to apply now, and relax your lips.

To prevent the formation of folds in the cheeks, it is more convenient to perform the exercise in reverse order. To do this, use the acquired skill. Place your fingers on the edges of your lips and try to squeeze your lips towards the center, but use your fingers to gently press on the skin so that the lips cannot clench. The lips should become tight and flat, but not change in length. In this case, folds on the cheeks should not form. The face remains calm, all muscles of the face, except for the circular mouth, are relaxed.

Without forgetting to carefully monitor what is happening with the help of a mirror, repeat this technique several times in order to adapt to the correct and confident execution of the exercise, helping to contract the circular muscle of the mouth mentally and starting its tension simultaneously with inhalation. As you exhale, relax your lips, moving your fingers slightly away from the skin. Feel the relaxation spread from the corners of the mouth to the periphery of the face.

Performing a lip gymnastics exercise.

While looking at yourself in the mirror, place your fingers on the edges of your lips. The fingers lie softly and only slightly press inward.

In this exercise, you should try to push the lips towards the center as much as possible, but your fingers should press the skin at the edges of the lips so that the corners of the mouth remain in place.

Helping mentally, while inhaling, increase the force of compressing the lips to the limit. Count to yourself 6 seconds and relax your lips at the same time as you exhale, slightly moving your fingers away from your lips.

Repeat the exercise 4-5 more times with breaks of 2-3 seconds between tensions.

You should learn to feel well not only tension, but also relaxation of the circular muscle of the mouth: after each approach, try to feel relaxation, which diverges from the edges of the lips to the periphery of the face.

During the exercises, carefully observe your face: all other muscles of the face should remain relaxed, new folds should not appear on the face or existing folds deepen.

Perhaps it would be convenient for you to practice with audio accompaniment, reminding you of what to look for when doing lip exercises. Audio Aid: Circular Mouth Exercise is for such an activity.

If this lip gymnastics exercise caused you difficulties, you can take the lesson you need from the trainer via Skype.

Regularity of training.

To remove wrinkles above the upper lip, to achieve lip augmentation at home, to eliminate sagging lips or to return the lips to their shape and color, it is advisable to train 5-6 times a week. To remove wrinkles above the upper lip or sagging lips, to get lip augmentation at home in a short time, you need to gradually, in 2-4 weeks, increase the number of repetitions of tension to 10-12. With this kind of training, a visible effect can be achieved after 2-3 months of training.

To prevent wrinkles and thinning of the lips, to maintain normal blood circulation, it is enough to train 1 - 2 times a week.

Exercising the circular muscle of the mouth will give you the ability to easily express emotions and use it without the fear of wrinkles, as your skin will become more elastic.

The lips are covered with thickened skin with a lot of sebaceous glands. The skin on the lips of men has hair,
women - fluff. On the lips themselves, the skin passes into a non-keratinizing epithelium, through which the venous network shines through, creating a red border. Behind the moderately expressed subcutaneous tissue are the muscles (Fig. 33), surrounding the oral slit and defining its position. The skin of the lips behind the red border passes into the mucous membrane of the vestibule of the mouth.

Rice. 33. Muscles of the mouth:
1 - m. zygomaticus minor; 2 - m. levator labii superior; 3 - m. levator labii superior alaque nasi; 4 - m. orbicularis oris, pars marginalis; 5 - m. orbicularis oris, pars labialis; 6 - depressor labii inferior; 7 - m. mentalis; 8 - m. depressor anguli oris: 9 - m. zygomaticus major; 10 - ductus parotideus; 11 - m. buccinator; 12 - the coronoid process of the lower jaw is cut off. 13 - raphe pterygomandibularis; 14 - m. pterygoideus medialis; 15 - pterygoid process; 16 - m. pterygoideus lateralis; 17 - the zygomatic arch has been cut off.

In the thickness of the lips is the circular muscle of the mouth (m. Orbicularis oris), which is divided into labial and marginal, or facial, parts (Charley). The first part is located within the red border, the second - in the area of ​​the lips lined with skin. The labial part is represented by circular muscle fibers - the sphincter, and the facial part is formed from the binding of circular fibers and muscle bundles following from the oral opening to the places of fixation on the bones of the skeleton.

The group of circular mice, when contracted, closes the mouth opening, presses the lips to the teeth, and reduces the visible part of the red border. With an isolated contraction of the peripheral part of the circular muscle, the lips protrude forward, the visible part of the red border increases, contributing to the opening of the oral gap. The circular muscle is involved in the act of eating and making sounds. Of the muscles following from the circular muscle of the mouth to the places of bone fixation, we will point out the main ones.

The muscle that lifts the upper lip (m. Levator labii superior, s. Caput infraorbitale m. Quadratus labii superior), starts from the lower edge of the orbit and the beginning of the zygomatic process of the upper jaw, goes down and attaches to the skin of the upper lip. During contractions, it raises the upper lip, except for the corner of the mouth. The face is given an expression of sadness, crying.

The muscle that lifts the upper lip and wing of the nose (m. Levator labii superior alaeque nasi, s. Caput angulare m. Quadrati labii superior), starts from the lower edge of the eye and the frontal process of the upper jaw, goes down and attaches to the skin of the upper lip. By contracting, the muscle raises the upper lip and the wings of the nose.

The muscle that lifts the corner of the mouth (m. Levator anguli oris, s. Caninus) starts from fossa canina under for. infraorbitale of the upper jaw, followed by the previously mentioned muscles to the corner of the mouth. Contracting, pulls the corner of the mouth obliquely to the side and. up.

Small zygomatic muscle (m. Zygomaticus minor, s. Caput zygomaticus m. Quadrati labii superior) starts from the buccal surface of the zygomatic bone, follows downward and inward and attaches to the corner of the mouth. When contracted, it raises the corner of the mouth, makes the expression of sadness, crying, tenderness more pronounced. Artists call this group of muscles "crying muscles"

The large zygomatic muscle (m. Zygomaticus major) starts from the buccal surface of the zygomatic bone, follows downward and inwardly and attaches to the skin of the corner of the mouth. By contracting, the muscle pulls the corner of the mouth and the nasolabial fold up and back, and stretches the mouth gap. Participates in the expression of laughter (m. Risorius - "muscle of laughter").

The buccal muscle (m. Buccinator) starts from the pterygo-maxillary suture and the alveolar processes of the jaws in the molar region together with the buccal crest of the lower jaw and attaches to the skin of the corner of the mouth and to the muscles of the upper and lower lips with a partial intersection muscle fibers at the corner of the mouth. Muscle contraction leads to a transverse expansion of the mouth gap, takes part in the act of spitting out or blowing air out of the mouth ("trumpet muscle").

The muscle that lowers the lower lip (m. Depressor labii inferior, s. Quadratus labii inferior) starts from the lower edge of the lower jaw, outward from the chin tubercle and is attached throughout the lower lip. With contractions, it pulls the lower lip down, pushes the corner of the mouth outward. The visible part of the red border of the lip increases, the lip is turned inside out and the chin-labial fold stands out. Facial expressions reflect disgust, disgust.

The muscle that lowers the corner of the mouth, or the triangular muscle of the mouth (m. Depressor anguli oris, s. Triangularis oris), starts from the lower edge of the lower jaw outward from the chin and is attached to the corner of the mouth and the adjacent areas of the upper and lower lips. It partially extends over the previous muscle. The muscle shifts the corner of the mouth and the upper parts of the nasolabial fold down and back; simultaneous muscle contraction contributes to the closure of the mouth gap, and a limited one reproduces an expression of sadness and a more pronounced expression of contempt.

The subcutaneous muscle of the neck (m. Platysma) lines almost the entire anterior region of the neck with a thin layer and, with its bundles, extending to the face, is woven into the muscles of the corner of the mouth. By contracting, it contributes to the displacement of the latter to the side and down.

The development of oral mimic muscles is not the same, which, together with the individual qualities of the facial skeleton, creates different forms of the mouth. With hyperplasia of the mucous glands and submucous tissue, a protrusion of the area of ​​the mucous membrane adjacent to the red border is formed. A double lip is created, more typical of the upper lip (labium duplex).

In the thickness of the lips are branches of the facial artery: the upper and lower arteries of the lips (aa.labialis superior et inferior). They are located on the border of the posterior and middle quarters of the lip thickness, closer to the mucous membrane, at a distance of 6-7 mm from the free edge (A. A. Bobrov) and form a ring, providing good blood flow. Additionally, the lips receive blood from small branches a. infraorbitalis and a. mentalis. The veins of the region are of the same name with the arteries and accompany them.

The lymphatic vessels of the lips drain lymph into the submandibular and, in addition, to the buccal, parotid, superficial and deep cervical lymph nodes. Vessels from the middle part of the lower lip carry lymph to the chin nodes. The lymphatic vessels on both sides of the lips are widely anastomosed with each other. Therefore, the pathological process can cause reactions of the lymph nodes of the other side, which forces, in case of cancer of the lower lip, to remove the submandibular lymph nodes on both sides.

The skin of the lips is innervated by the superior labial nerves (branches of the infraorbital), the lower labial (branches of the chin) and in the area of ​​the corners of the mouth - by the branches of the buccal nerve.

The shape and size of both the oral slit and the lips varies. With incorrect embryonic development, their pathological structure is observed.

The face of the embryo is formed from 5 processes or tubercles: a single frontal and paired maxillary and mandibular. These processes limit the naso-oral fossa. By the end of the second month of uterine life, the frontal process, descending, creates a nose and lip filterum, fuses with the maxillary processes and forms the upper lip and upper jaw, and the lower processes, connecting, form the lower lip and lower jaw. In addition, the frontal process divides into nasal processes and forms the nostrils and the middle part of the upper jaw or the intermaxillary fossa. There are clefts between the mentioned processes: median, transverse and oblique clefts of the face and lateral clefts of the upper lip. The schematic drawings give an idea of ​​what has been said (Fig. 34).

Rice. 34. Scheme of the formation of a human face, an embryo (I) and a hard palate according to Stones (II).
1.1 - frontal process; 2 - maxillary process; 3 - mandibular process; 4 - nasal fossa: 5 - median cleft of the face; 6 - transverse cleft of the face; 7 - oblique cleft of the face; 8 - peephole; 9 - external nasal process; 10 - internal nasal process; 11 - primary nasal opening. II 1 - nasal septum; 2 - palatine plates; 3 - language. A - palatine plates stand vertically on the sides of the tongue; B - palatine plates took a horizontal position; B - palatine plates have grown together.

In cases where the processes do not fully or partially grow together, a congenital deformity occurs - clefts of the lip, face and palate. When tissues do not adhere, only in separate layers they speak of hidden crevices. The most common non-union of the external and internal nasal processes, ie, the preservation of the lateral cleft lip ("cleft lip"). The defect corresponds to the position of the 2nd incisor, it can be bilateral and unilateral, more often on the left. A slit is distinguished between partial, which does not penetrate into the nasal cavity, and full, which opens into this cavity. Of the other rare malformations of the lip, we will also point out the following: 1) congenital underdevelopment (shortening) of the middle part of the upper lip - brachycheilia; 2) significant accretion of the lateral parts of the lips, which reduces the mouth gap - microstomy; 3) absence of lips - acheilia; 4) the absence of a mouth gap - atresia.

Non-union of the maxillary and mandibular tubercles leads to the formation of a pathological, large mouth - macrostomy. The transverse cleft can extend to the temporal region, more often it reaches chewing muscle, leads to drooling.

Non-union of the maxillary and frontal processes leads to the preservation of the oblique cleft of the face - coloboma. The slit goes through the upper lip, cheek, and lower eyelid.

The median cleft of the face corresponds to the midline of the body and can be on the upper and lower lip, it can extend to the upper jaw.

1. Circular muscle of the mouth (m. orbicularis oris), is

a complex interlacing of muscle fibers completely surrounding

mouth gap; consists of two parts, labial and marginal. Lip part

(pars labialis) located in the thickness of the upper and lower lips, including

the area of ​​the red border, the marginal part (pars marginalis) is located along

periphery. The bundles of the circular muscle of the mouth begin in the area of ​​the corners of the mouth

from the skin and mucous membranes, some fibers are

continuation of the muscles-dilators of the oral gap, fibers of the right and left

muscles intertwine with each other near the midline of the upper and

lower lips. The circular muscle of the mouth is associated with two small

inconsistent incisor muscles of the upper and lower lips. Each incisor

the muscle starts from the incisal fossa of the corresponding jaw, then

turns laterally and merges with the bundles of the circular muscle of the mouth.

Function: the circular muscle of the mouth is the sphincter of the oral gap, it

closes the lips and pushes them forward (as with a whistle), with a contraction

fibers located in the area of ​​the red border of the lips, the lips are compressed

and the red border disappears.

2. Muscle lifting the upper lip and wing of the nose (m. levator

labii superioris aleque nasi), starts from the upper part of the frontal process

upper jaw, directed obliquely downward and laterally, divided into two

beam - medial and lateral. The medial bundle is attached to

large cartilage of the wing of the nose and the skin above it, lateral bundle

continues into the upper lip, merging with the muscle that lifts

the upper lip, and the circular muscle of the mouth, part of the fibers of the lateral bundle

attaches to the skin of the nasolabial groove. Function: lateral part

raises the upper lip, the medial part raises the wing of the nose,

helps the wing of the nasal muscle to expand the nostril.

3. Muscle lifting the upper lip (m. levator labii superioris),

lies lateral to the previous one, starts from the upper jaw and

the zygomatic bone above the foramen infraorbitale, its fibers are sent to

the upper lip between the lateral bundle of the previous muscle and the small

zygomatic muscle. Function: lifts the upper lip, changes the depth

nasolabial groove.

4. Small zygomatic muscle (m. zygomaticus minor), located

lateral to the muscle lifting the upper lip starts from

lateral surface of the zygomatic bone immediately behind the sutura

zygomaticomaxillaris, directed downward and medially, enters the upper

lip and intertwines there with other muscles, at the top of the small zygomatic

the muscle is separated from the muscle that lifts the upper lip by a small

a triangular gap, below both muscles merge. Function:

lifts the upper lip, deepens the nasolabial groove, acting together

with two previous muscles; bends the upper lip when smiling,

active when expressing complacency or contempt, disdain.

5. Big zygomatic muscle (m. zygomaticus major), located

lateral to the previous muscle, starts from the zygomatic bone in front

from sutura zygomaticotemporalis, goes to the corner of the mouth, where it merges with

the muscle that lifts the corner of the mouth, and the circular muscle of the mouth. Function: pulls

corner of the mouth upward and laterally, as if laughing.

6. Muscle that lifts the corner of the mouth (m. levator anguli oris),

situated deeper muscles lifting the upper lip starts from

the canine fossa of the upper jaw below the foramen infraorbitale, attached

in the corner of the mouth, where it merges with the large zygomatic muscle, circular

the muscle of the mouth, the muscle that lowers the corner of the mouth. Function: raises the angle

mouth when smiling, deepens the nasolabial groove.

7. Muscle lowering the lower lip (m. depressor labii inferioris),

has a quadrangular shape, starts from the linea obliqua of the lower

jaw between the chin symphysis and the chin foramen,

goes up and medially, attaches to the skin and mucous membrane

lower lip, merging with the muscle of the same name on the opposite side

and the circular muscle of the mouth; continuing downward and laterally, passes into m.

platysma. Function: pulls the lower lip down and slightly laterally; active

when expressing irony, melancholy, grief, doubt.

8. Muscle lowering the corner of the mouth (m. depressor anguli oris), takes

beginning from the chin tubercle and linea obliqua of the lower jaw below and

lateral to the previous muscle, directed upward and laterally, in

the area of ​​the corner of the mouth merges with the circular muscle of the mouth and the muscle of laughter, part

fibers continues into the muscle that lifts the corner of the mouth. Part of the fibers

goes to the opposite side, forming transverse muscle

chin (m. transversus menti). Function: pulls the corner of the mouth down and

laterally, it is active in the expression of sadness, despondency.

9. Muscle of laughter (m. risorius), variable, may be absent;

if there is, it starts from several places - from the zygomatic arch, parotid

and chewing fascia, directed towards the corner of the mouth. If the muscle has

intermediate attachment to the skin of the cheek, then a dimple is formed on the cheek.

Function: pulls the corners of the mouth laterally, is active when a person laughs or

grins.

10. Chin muscle (m. mentalis) starts from incisal

the fossa of the lower jaw, directed downward and attached to the skin

chin. Function: raises and pushes the lower lip forward

(for example, when a person drinks from a cup), wrinkles the skin of the chin,

takes part in expressions of indecision, contempt,

neglect.

11. Buccal muscle (m. buccinator) - thin quadrangular

a muscle that fills the gap between the upper and lower jaws.

Its upper and lower edges start, respectively, from the alveolar

processes of the upper and lower jaws opposite the large molars,

the posterior edge of the muscle starts from the pterygo-mandibular suture

(raphe pterygomandibularis), muscle fibers converge to the corner of the mouth,

merge with other muscles. At the level of the second upper large

of the molar tooth, the buccal muscle perforates the parotid duct

glands. Function: presses the cheek against the gums and teeth while chewing,

protects the mucous membrane of the cheek from biting, pulls the corners of the mouth

laterally, the muscle is especially active when playing wind instruments

("Trumpet muscles").

All muscles of the circumference of the mouth and cheek, together with the muscles of the tongue and bottom

oral cavities are involved in the articulation of speech. In the area of ​​the corners of the mouth, where

the fibers of the muscles of the upper and lower lips converge, continuing in

the circular muscle of the mouth, a small movable fibrous

muscle cord - rod ( modiolus) playing important role v

lip movements during speech articulation.

Muscles of the auricle

1. Anterior ear muscle (m. auricularis anterior) - rudimentary

fan-shaped muscle, the smallest of the muscles of the auricle,

starts from the temporal fascia, attaches to the spine of the ear curl

shells. Function: pulls the auricle up and forward.

2. Upper ear muscle ( m. auricularis superior) - rudimentary

fan-shaped muscle, the largest of the muscles of the auricle,

starts from the tendon helmet, attaches to the skin of the ear

shells. Function: lifts the auricle up.

3. Posterior ear muscle ( m. auricularis posterior) starts from

the mastoid process of the temporal bone, attaches to the skin of the ear

shells. Function: pulls the auricle back and up.

In humans, voluntary movements of the auricle usually

are impossible, the ear muscles are poorly developed, however, with sound

stimuli, electrical activity is recorded in them.

The largest number of muscles are located on the face. Their main distinguishing characteristic is that they have only one fixed end on the bone structures, and the second is woven into soft tissue, forming a mobile attachment point. Contraction causes not only the work of the muscle itself, but also, more importantly, ensures the displacement of the skin, the formation of folds and, being located around the natural holes, provides their certain functions. What is the function of the circular muscle of the eye and the circular muscle of the mouth, we will consider in more detail in this article.

What is the muscle around the eye

Before proceeding to consider the functions of this muscle, it is worthwhile to briefly dwell on its structure, since each of its parts provides the performance of individual actions.

Anatomically, the circular muscle of the eye is represented by three sections:

1. Orbital.
2. Tearful.
3. Century.

Orbital part

The function of the circular muscle of the eye (its orbital part) is to narrow the entrance to the orbit by simultaneous and unidirectional contraction of the fibers by dropping the eyebrow and raising the cheek. With the defeat of the innervation of this area, there is a lack of muscle contractions and a typical appearance appears (half-open eye and drooping cheek).

Lacrimal part

The lacrimal part is represented by a small number of muscle fibers located between the orbit and the upper eyelid, which go around the lacrimal sac on their way. When this muscle contracts, there is a strong enough pressure on the aforementioned bag, and tears are extracted into the nasolacrimal duct. The function of the circular muscle of the eye (its lacrimal part) the better, the more the eye is closed.

Century part

Already judging from the name, this part provides the shortening of the eyelids. The subtlety lies in the fact that there is a simultaneous closure of the lower and upper eyelid, respectively, by an average of 3 and 10 millimeters. The function of the circular muscle of the eye of this part also provides tear softening of the cornea.

As you can see, a rather small and non-massive muscle performs a number of important functions that ensure the normal functioning of the eyes and gives our appearance certain features.

Circular muscle of the eye - innervation

The facial nerve provides the general innervation of the face, including the muscles around the eyes. The neuromuscular conduction of this zone is mainly represented by its two large branches: the zygomatic and temporal. In view of its big size and superficial location, they are quite often injured and inflamed. As a result, the circular muscle of the eye cannot perform its functions and becomes paralyzed at all.

Eye strain

Exposed to heavy loads during the day. During wakefulness of a person, the circular muscle of the eye experiences quite a lot of tension. Working at a computer, watching videos and TV shows, reading and continuous visual stress, bright light and a rapidly changing picture - overextend the organ of vision and the muscle around the eyes.

Scientists have proven a direct relationship between the work of this muscle and the one that provides a change in the curvature of the lens. Thus, if the function of the circular muscle of the eye is impaired, a violation of lymph flow and venous stasis may occur, up to an increase in intracranial pressure.

Therefore, you do not need to test your body for strength. With increased visual stress, it is imperative to carry out unloading and rest. Most effective method relaxation of the circular muscle is a simple contemplation of nature, when the gaze is not fixed on one object, but perceives the overall picture.

Reflex movements to relax the muscles of the eyes are rubbing them. Although there are more effective exercise, aimed not only at relieving spasm, but also at preventing and eliminating existing problems, which we will consider below.

Exercises for the circular muscle of the eye

Light exercises and a little gymnastics of the muscles that ensure the work of the organ of vision will help not only unload and relax them, but also improve blood circulation in this area, which will certainly be reflected in appearance, will give it freshness, smooth out wrinkles and give the skin elasticity and youth.

What is necessary:

• 10-15 minutes of free time;
• good mood;
• Wash the hands;
• stand in front of a mirror;
• follow the guidelines below.

Exercise number 1

Stand in front of a mirror and visually imagine exactly where you have the orbicular muscle of the eye. Exercise to strengthen this zone does not require special skills and abilities. All that is needed is the correct positioning of the fingers. The index and middle fingers should be around the outer edges. No need to apply great strength pressing. All movements should be soft, clear and unidirectional. Now, as it were, fix the skin with your fingers so that during the exercise it remains immobilized. In such starting position Lift your lower eyelid as high as possible. If at this moment the tension of the muscle around the eye is intensely felt, then the technique for performing the exercise is correct. Alternate tension with relaxation. Fixation of the gaze for 5-6 seconds, relaxation for 2-3 seconds. It is necessary to make 5-6 such repetitions.

Be sure to keep the other muscles in your face off. If you feel their work, then just open your mouth (this will help not only distract, but also concentrate on the work of the desired area).

Exercise number 2

The following actions are aimed at maintaining muscle tone and preventing the appearance of expression lines around the eyes. So, let's get started: close your eyes and forcefully close the upper eyelid to the lower one. When performing this exercise, in no case should you put pressure on the eyeball. Firstly, it is harmful, and secondly, you will use other muscles while doing this. And we need only the circular muscle of the eye to work. The functions of this muscle are multidirectional, therefore the effect of the exercise will also be significant.

After you learn to control yourself and close your eyelids correctly, place two fingers of the corresponding hand in the corner of your eyes. The pressure should be felt, but in no way painful. At the same time, increase the pressure of your fingers while increasing the force of lowering the upper eyelid. All actions should be smooth and enjoyable. Do not under any circumstances move the skin that is located under your fingers.

As you exercise, mentally imagine what is happening, how the muscles around the eyes contract and relax. Freeze, stop, count to ten in your head, and also smoothly do reverse actions... Repeat the exercise five times, keeping small pauses (just a few seconds) between them. Watch your breathing. This will help you focus on the manipulation and make the exercise more effective.

For complete relaxation, you can turn on beautiful, calm music and combine business with pleasure. In order for the result to be noticeable not only for you, but also for those around you, exercise must be regular. It is advisable to do them daily, alternating with each other.

Circular muscle of the mouth

Omitting the complex structure of the circular muscle of the mouth, I would like to dwell in more detail on the functions it performs. It's not a secret for anyone that thanks to our oral cavity we can not only eat, but also talk, sing, laugh, etc. Doing these things familiar to everyone, we do not even think about how it all happens, which muscles are involved - that's all occurs reflexively.

The main function of this muscle is the work of the lips. Thanks to its contraction, we can pull them into a tube, wrap them up, close them or open them. Also, the circular muscle of the mouth is a kind of external sphincter that provides closure. Well, undoubtedly, thanks to the work of this muscle as well, each of us has a unique smile that can change depending on our mood or wishes.

As you can see, the function of the circular muscle of the eye and the circular muscle of the mouth are equally important, so you should not neglect their importance, but make every effort to make them work as expected.

located around the mouth

If we are talking about functional clamps in this area, then they are quite common, but still amenable to correction with diligence and the right approach... Unlike organic lesions, when in 99% of cases, at least something cannot be done.

Functional clamps in this area are directly related to the psycho-emotional state of a person, his dislike for anything about which in question... As a result, a person, with the help of his lips, expresses a certain emotion: resentment, disappointment, disgust, and so on.

Exercises for the circular muscle of the mouth

In order to train this muscle, it is only necessary, having fixed the skin and not using any other muscle, to make alternately all possible movements of the lips. After completing one action, for example, stretching out your lips with a tube, fix yourself in this position for a few seconds. Do at least 3-5 reps before moving on to the next exercise. To enhance the effect of this exercise, as you pull your lips into a tube, draw air into your cheeks and alternately move the air from one side to the other.

To prevent the occurrence or to eliminate existing ones, follow next exercise... Pinch your upper and lower lips as tightly as possible without interlocking your teeth. Use your index finger to take measured strokes along the midline of the lips. Then, with massaging movements (without relaxing your lips), move your lips up and down. Do 10 of these reps, alternating with complete relaxation of the lips and circular muscles of the mouth.

Another available exercise option may be clear (with vivid articulation) pronunciation of vowels. In this case, it is not at all necessary to do this exercise out loud, you can only imitate the movement of the lips. This option is suitable for office workers when you can study without being distracted from work. There is no limit on this exercise.

Conclusion

Now you have gotten to the most frequently asked question: "What is the function of the circular muscle of the eye?" - answer. Everything is quite simple: knowing where this or that muscle is located, you can determine the zone of its action.

Of course, everything is not so simple as with the muscle corset of our body, and not so much because of the size of the muscles themselves, but because of the peculiarities of attachment and actions described above.

The function of the orbicularis muscle of the eye and mouth is to promote the natural acts and performance of the respective areas. Knowing the minimum list of effective exercises and following clear recommendations, you can preserve youth and health for many years, which is what we sincerely wish you!