Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of the Muscles of the Face
It is important to understand the muscles of the face as you will be moving them around and stretching the skin so it is taught during treatments; when working in aesthetics; you will need to understand the depth of the muscles for Anti Wrinkle Treatments and for Dermal Fillers using a cannula.
Having the knowledge of the Muscles of the face will also help you with symmetry when carrying out an Aesthetics or an PMU treatment; as well as how the muscles will be stimulated during Advanced Facials Treatments. Many of the muscles located in the face are very small and are attached into another small muscle or the facial skin. When the muscles contract, they pull the facial skin into a particular way; it is this that creates a facial expression.
Here is a diagram showing you where all the muscles in the face are; you will have learned these in your Level 2 Anatomy & Physiology Course:
With age, the facial expression that we make every day produce lines on the skin - frown lines. The amount of tension, or tone, also decreases with age. When performing facial rejuvenating services, the aim is often to improve the general tone of the facial muscles.
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Muscles of Facial Expressions
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Orbital Facial Muscles
The orbital facial muscles comprise of three main muscles:
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Occipitofrontalis (frontalis contributes to this functional group)
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Orbicularis oculi
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Corrugator supercilii
As well as controlling the movement of the eyelids, these muscles also pla a role in protecting the cornea from injury.
Occipitofrontalis
The occipitofrontalis muscle comprises of two main sections. These sections include the occipital (located posteriorly) and frontal (located anteriorly) bellies. The frontal belly is the major contributor to facial expression.
Origin
The occipital belly originates from the occipital bone, as well as the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The frontal belly originates from the epicranial aponeurosis.
Insertion
The occipital part inserts into the epicranial aponeurosis and the frontal belly inserts into the fascia of the facial muscles surrounding th eyes and the skin above the eyes.
Action
Contraction of this muscle raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead.
Innervation
The temporal branch of the facial nerve innervates the frontalis and th posterior auricular branch of the facial nerve innervates the occipitalis.
Blood supply
The occipital belly is supplied by the occipital artery and the frontal belly is supplied by the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries.1
Orbicularis oculi
This muscle comprises of three main sections. These sections include the orbital orbicularis, palpebral orbicularis and lacrimal orbicularis.
Origin
This muscle originates from the nasal portion of the frontal bone, frontal process of the maxilla, medial palpebral ligament, as well as the lacrimal crest and lacrimal bone.
Insertion
The insertion site of this muscle includes the skin overlying the circumference of the orbit, the orbital septum, the temporal aspect of the orbit and inferiorly towards the cheek.
Action
This muscle mainly functions to close the eye. The palpebral section functions voluntarily, as well as involuntarily during such actions as in blinking. The orbital section requires conscious effort. The lacrimal section controls the tear pump mechanism that filters into the lacrimal sac.
Innervation
The temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
Branches of the facial, superficial temporal, maxillary and ophthalmic arteries.
Corrugator supercilii
Origin
This muscle originates at the medial end of the supraorbital ridge.
Insertion
The skin of the forehead near the eyebrow acts as the insertio site for this muscle.
Action
Contraction of this muscle assists in wrinkling the forehead an drawing the eyebrows downwards and medially to assist in shielding the eyes from bright light.
Innervation
The temporal branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The ophthalmic artery and branches from the superficial temporal artery.
Nasalis
This is the largest of the nasal facial muscles that comprises of two main groups. These two groups include the transverse and alar sections.
Origin
The nasalis muscle originates from the incisive fossa of the maxilla.
Insertion
Insertion occurs at an aponeurosis over the bridge of the nose (which blends with counterpart), as well as at the skin around the alar part of the nose.
Action
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Compression of the nasal bridge
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Depression of the corners of the nostrils
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Depression of the tip of the nose
Innervation
The buccal branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
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The superior labial branch of the facial artery.
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The infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.
Procerus
Origin
The fascia overlying the inferior section of the nasal bone and the superior section of the lateral nasal cartilage.
Insertion
The inferior skin of the forehead on either side of the midline between the eyebrows.
Action
Contraction of this muscle assists in drawing the medial aspect of the eyebrows inferiorly. This contributes to the expression of Frowning.
Innervation
The temporal branch and lower zygomatic branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The angular and lateral nasal branches of the facial artery.
septi nasi
Origin
The incisive fossa of the maxilla is the site of origination of this muscle.
Insertion
The nasalis muscle and nasal septum.
Action
Contraction of this muscle widens the nasal aperture.
Innervation
The buccal branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The superior labial branch of the facial artery
ORAL MUSCLES
The oral muscles are responsible for the movement of the lips and mouth. This group comprises of the following muscles: orbicularis oris, buccinators, depressor anguli oris, levator anguli oris, risorius, zygomaticus major and minor, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, depressor labii inferioris, mentalis and platysma.
Orbicularis oris
This sphincter-like muscle is located around the circumference of the mouth.
Origin
The medial aspect of the maxilla and mandible and the modiolus.
Insertion
The skin surrounding the lips is the insertion site of the orbicularis oris muscle.
Action
The contraction of this muscle puckers the lips and closes the mouth.
Innervation
The buccal branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The superior and inferior labial branches of the facial artery.
Buccinator
The buccinator is located between the maxilla and mandible. The buccinator forms the anterior aspect of the cheek and the lateral aspect of the oral cavity. Several structures penetrate thE buccinators, including the parotid duct, molar glands of the cheeks, as well as the buccal branch of the mandibular nerve.
Origin
The outer surfaces of the alveolar processes of the mandiblE and maxilla, and the pterygomandibular raphe.
Insertion
The orbicularis oris muscle and modiolus act as the insertioN site for this muscle.
Action
Contraction of this muscle compresses the cheeks against the teeth (this action is especially useful in mastication and whistling).
Innervation
The buccal branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The buccal branch of the maxillary artery.
Depressor anguli oris
Origin
The mental tubercle of the mandible.
Insertion
The modiolus and angle of the mouth.
Action
Contraction of this muscle causes depression of the angle of the mouth which contributes to frowning. This muscle is in direct opposition to the actions of the levator angulioris muscle.
Innervation
The buccal and mandibular branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The inferior labial branch of the facial artery and mental branch of the maxillary artery.
Levator anguli oris
Origin
The canine fossa of the maxilla.
Insertion
The modiolus and angle of the mouth.
Action
Contraction of this muscle elevates the angle of the mouth contributing to smiling.
Innervation
The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The superior labial branch of the facial artery and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.
Risorius
Origin
The zygomatic bone.
Insertion
The modiolus of the mouth.
Action
This muscle helps to facilitate smiling by pulling the angles oF the mouth superiorly and laterally.
Innervation
The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The superior labial branch of the facial artery.
Zygomaticus major
Origin
The zygomatic bone.
Insertion
This muscle inserts into the skin of the lateral upper lip.
Action
Contraction of this muscle aids in the elevation of the upper lip.
Innervation
The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The superior labial branch of the facial artery.
Zygomaticus minor
Levator labii superioris (also known as the quadratus labii superioris)
Origin
The maxilla and zygomatic bone superior to infraorbital foramen.
Insertion
This muscle inserts into the skin and muscle of the upper lip.
Action
Contraction causes elevation of the upper lip.
Innervation
The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The facial artery and the infraorbital branch of the maxillarY artery.
Levator labii superioris
Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
Origin
The frontal process of the maxilla.
Insertion
Skin of the alar cartilage of nose and skin of the upper lip.
Action
This muscle facilitates the expression of ‘snarling’ by causinG dilation of the nostrils, as well as elevation of the wings of the nose and upper lip.
Innervation
The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The facial artery and the infraorbital branch of the maxillarY artery.
Depressor labii inferioris
Origin
The mandible (specifically between the mental foramen an the symphysis).
Insertion
The skin of the lower lip. Its fibres blend with the fibres of the orbicularis oris muscle at the insertion point.
Action
Contraction of this muscle depresses the lower lip.
Innervation
The mandibular branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The inferior labial branch of the facial artery and the mentaL branch of the maxillary artery.
Mentalis
Origin
The anterior aspect of the mandible.
Insertion
The skin of the chin.
Action
Contraction of this muscle causes protrusion of the lower lip, as well as elevation and wrinkling of the skin of the chin.
Innervation
The mandibular branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
The inferior labial branch of the facial artery and the mentaL branch of the maxillary artery.
Platysma
Origin
The skin and fascia of the infraclavicular and supraclavicular regions.
Insertion
The base of the mandible, skin of the cheek and lower lip, angle of the mouth, as well as the orbicularis oris muscle.
Action
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Draws the corners of the mouth downwards which assists in creating the expression of melancholy.
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Tenses the skin of the neck when the teeth are clenched.
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Depresses the lower jaw.
Innervation
The cervical branch of the facial nerve.
Blood supply
Branches of the submental and suprascapular arteries.
fun task
have a play with your face and see if you can recognise which muscles are moving in order to create the Facial Expression you are pulling!
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of the Bones of the Head
The bones that form the head are collectively known as the skull. The skull can be divided into two parts, the face and cranium; which together are made up of 22 bones:
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The 14 Facial bones form the face
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The 8 cranial bones form the rest of the face
As well as forming our facial features, the facial bones support other structures such as the eyes and teeth. Some of these bones, such as the nasal bones are made from cartilage, a connective tissue that is softer than bone.
The cranium surrounds and protects the brain. The bones are thin and slightly curved, and are held together by connective tissues. After childhood, the joints become immovable and are called sutures, appearing as wavy lines.
The facial bones support the many muscles and soft tissues of the face, head, and neck. The form of your face is largely due to the shape of your facial skeleton. These multiple bones also feature foramina (holes) that allow important cranial nerves and blood supply to cross from the inside to the outside surfaces and vice versa.
Each bone articulates (joins) with neighboring bones. These can be direct joints or joints between processes – protrusions from the body of each structure. For example, the orbital bones of the eye sockets are not bones in themselves but articulating parts of the sphenoid, frontal, zygomatic, ethmoid, lacrimal, maxilla, and palatine bones.
How Many Facial Bones Are There?
If you are asked how many facial bones there are, there is no fixed answer. This is because, as already mentioned, some bones of the face are also part of the neurocranium (the bony covering of the brain). Alternatively, some anatomists do not count the mandible, as this bone is only attached to the skull via ligaments (at the temporomandibular joint); it only directly joins to its paired half through the length of the chin.
The extremely mobile temporomandibular joint This means that your answer can vary but still be correct. It is safeR to list all candidates, with a short description of how they articulatE with their neighbours.
Your answer could list 14 facial bones, 12 facial bones, or even 17 facial bones depending on which anatomy textbook you consult. The answer that will earn maximum points is the following: The facial bones number between twelve (not counting the mandible) and seventeen bones according to various sources.
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1 Sphenoid Bone: located behind the eye sockets; stretches from one side of the cranium to the other; sometimes not included in the list of facial bones as it is also part of the neurocranium; articulates with the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, ethmoid, zygomatic, palatine, and vomer bones.
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2 inferior nasal conchae (paired); located at the top of the nasa cavity; articulate with the maxilla, palatine, lacrimal, and ethmoid bones.
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2 nasal bones (paired); located at the bridge of the nose; articulate with the frontal, ethmoid, and maxilla bones, as well as with each other.
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2 lacrimal bones (paired); located on the inside surface of the eye socket; articulate with the maxilla, ethmoid, and frontal bone and with the inferior nasal concha.
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1 ethmoid bone: located behind the upper nasal cavity and in front of the brain; sometimes not included in the list of facial bones as it is also part of the neurocranium; articulates with the frontal, sphenoid, nasal, maxilla, lacrimal, palatine, and vomer bones and with the inferior nasal concha.
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2 palatine bones (paired); located at the back of the nasal cavity at the hard palate; articulate with the sphenoid, maxilla, ethmoid, anD vomer bones. Also with the inferior nasal concha and each other.
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1 vomer; located at the bottom of the nasal septum and above the hard palate; articulates with the maxilla, palatine, and ethmoid bones.
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2 zygomatic bones (paired); located at the upper cheek; articulates with the temporal, frontal, maxilla, and sphenoid bones.
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1 (or 2) maxilla bones (paired but fused); located in the upper jaw; articulate with the highest number of other bones: the frontal, ethmoid, nasal, zygomatic, lacrimal, palatine, and vomer bones anD with the inferior nasal concha and each other.
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1 (or 2) mandible; located in the lower jaw. Only articulates directlY with its opposite partner at the chin; forms a synovial joint with thE temporal fossa of the temporal bone (temporomandibular joint).
To receive optimum points, a diagram with labelled facial bones will show that you understand how each bone contributes to the face.
Facial Bones Function
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The facial bones have many functions, as each individual bone supports different areas of the face.
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Firstly, the facial bones protect the soft tissues that lie underneath such as the mucous membranes and sensory cells of the nasal cavity, the oral cavity, the eyes, and – if the ethmoid is included – the pituitary gland of the brain.
Nasal cavity with conchae
Foramina in the facial bones, such as the zygomaticofacial foramen in the zygomatic bone, allow blood vessels and nerves to travel through the facial skeleton. Grooves also create channels through which soft tissue can travel, and indentations for other structures, such as the facial bone paranasal. The below image shows a cyst inside the
maxillary sinus one of the paranasal group. The sinuses play importan roles in our immunity and lung health.
The outer surfaces of the facial bones provide plenty of attachment points for muscles and ligaments that allow us to produce a wide variety of facial expressions, like frowning and smiling.
fun task
Have a feel around your face and see if you can feel your bones of the face and name them.
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of the NOSE
If you are thinking of a career in Aesthetics then learning Anatomy of the Nose is crucial as you may want to venture into Liquid Rhinoplasty The nose is made up of Bone and Cartilage and it is extremely vascula with blood vessels.
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM OF THE FACE
Firstly watch this video and take lots of notes to show you how the Circulatory System works.
Blood leaving the heart is carried in large, elastin tubes called arteries The blood to the head arrives via the carotid arteries. The blood to thE head arrives via the carotid arteries, which are connected via other main arteries to the heart. There are two main carotid arteries, one oN each side of the neck.
These arteries divide into smaller branches, the internal carotid and the external carotid. The internal carotid artery passes the temporal bone and enters the head, taking blood to the brain. The external carotid artery stays outside the skill and divides into branches.
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The occipital branch supplies the back of the head and the scalp.
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The temporal branch supplies the sides of the face, the head, the scalp and the skin.
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The facial branch supplies the muscles and tissue of the face.
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The posterior auricular branch supplies the scalp, back and above the ear.
These arteries also divide repeatedly; successive vessels becoming smaller and smaller until they form tiny blood capillaries. These vesselS are just one cell thick, allowing substances carried in the blood to pasS through them into the tissue fluid, which bathes and nourishes the cells of the various body tissues.
The blood capillaries begin to join up again, forming first small vessels called venules then larger vessels called veins. These return blood to the heart.
Veins are less elastic than arteries and are closer to the skin's surface. Along their course are valves, which prevent the back flow of blood. The main veins are the external and internal jugular veins. The internaL jugular vein and its main branch, the facial vein, carry blood from the face and head. The external jugular vein carries blood from the scalp and has two branches: the occipital branch and the temporal branch. The jugular veins join to enter the subclavian vein, which lies above thE clavicle.
Blood returns to the heart, which pumps it to the lungs, where the re blood cells take on fresh oxygen and where carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood. The blood returns to the heart and begins its next journey around the body.
Temporal Branches
Some of the carotid artery's important temporal branches are:
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Frontal: supplies the forehead
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Parietal: supplies the top and sides of the head
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Transverse: supplies the masseter muscle
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Middle Temporal: supplies the temples and the eyelids
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Anterior Auricular: supplies the front part of the ear
Watch this video and take lots of notes:
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of THE LIPS
Anatomy of the Lips is important to learn if you will be embarking on career in PMU or Aesthetics and learning about the lips can help you A Advise your client's accordingly to enhance their lips to suit them.
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of THE Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Twelve pairs of cranial nerves emerge from the brain. Some cranial nerves are sensory nerves. The second cranial nerve (the optic nerve) contains only sensory nerve fibres. it supplies the eye and is the nerve of sight. The twelfth cranial nerve is a primary a motor nerve. It contains mainly motor fibres and supplies the tongue muscles. The sensory fibres in this nerve transmit information about the position of the tongue. Other cranial nerves such as the fifth (trigeminal) nerve are called mixed nerves as they contain both motor fibres (to supply muscles) and sensory fibres (to relay sensations). Most cranial nerves are named after the body part they control.
The nerves of the Peripheral System communicate information to and from the Central Nervous System.
Nerves of the Face and NecK
Cranial nerves control muscles in the head and neck region, or carry nerve impulses from the sense organs to the brain. Those of concern to you when performing a facial serve are as follows:
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The 5th Cranial Nerve or trigeminal, controls the muscles involved in mastication (chewing) and passes on sensory information from the face, such as the eyes.
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The 7th Cranial Nerve, or facial, controls the muscles involved in facial expression.
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The 11th Cranial Nerve, or accessory, controls the muscles involved in moving the head, the sterno-cleido-mastoid and trapezius muscle.
5th Cranial NervE
This nerve carries messages to the brain from the sensory nerves of the skin, the teeth, the nose and the mouth. It also stimulates the motor nerve to create the chewing action when eating. The 5th Cranial Nerve has three branches.
The Opthalmic Nerve serves the tear glands of the eye, the skin of the forehead and the upper cheeks The Maxillary Nerve serves the upper jaw and the mouth The Mandibular Nerve serves the lower jaw muscle, the teeth and the muscle involved with chewing.
7th Cranial NervE
This nerve passes through the temporal bone and behind the ear, and then divides. It serves the ear muscle and the muscles of facial expressions, the tongue and the palate. This nerve has five branches:
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The Temporal Nerve serves the orbicularis oculi and the frontalis muscles.
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The Zygomatic nerve serves the eye muscles.
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The Buccai Nerve serves the upper lip and the sides of the mouth.
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The mandibular nerve serves the lower lip and the mentalis muscle of the chin.
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The cervical nerve serves the platysma and muscles of the neck.
11th Cranial NervE
This nerve serves the sertnocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles of the neck, its function is to move the head and shoulders.
Watch this video and take down some notes:
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of THE Lymphatic System of the Face and Neck
LYMPH NODES OF THE HEAD
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The Buccal Group drains the eyelids, the nose and the skin of the face
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The Mandibular Group drains the chin, the lips, the nose and the cheeks
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The Mastoid Group drains the skin of the ear and the temple area
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The Occipital Group drains the back of the scalp and the upper neck
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The Submental Group drains the chin and lower lip The Parotid Group drains the nose, eyelids and ears
LYMPH NODES OF THE NECK
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The superficial cervical group drains the back of the head and the neck
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The lower deep cervical group drains the back area of the scalp and the neck
Understand the Anatomy & Physiology of THE Facial Fat Pads
Over time the facial fat pads in the upper and mid face atrophy (waste away), while those in the lower face tend to become fuller (hypertrophy). As deeper fat pads decrease with age (for example deep in the cheeks) this reduces their support of the superficial fat pads, which can then begin to sag. If you are thinking of moving into an aesthetics career then you will need to learn the fat pads when learning advanced Dermal Fillers so it's great to get acquainted now. The below diagram shows where the fat pads lie in the face and bare in mind that fat pads will vary on each individual in relation to weight and age.
Dr Pierce gives a brilliant video explaining this...watch this video and take some notes:
