Facial muscles

The facial muscles are a group of striated muscles innervated by the facial nerve that, among other things, control facial expression. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles.

Structure
The facial muscles are subcutaneous (just under the skin) muscles that control facial expression. They generally originate on bone, and insert on the skin of the face.

Innervation
The facial muscles are innervated by cranial nerve VII, also known as the facial nerve. In contrast, the nearby masticatory muscles are innervated by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve.

Development
The facial muscles are derived from the second branchial/pharyngeal arch.

List of muscles
The facial muscles comprise:
 * Epicranius
 * Occipitofrontalis
 * Temporoparietalis
 * Procerus
 * Nasalis muscle
 * Depressor septi nasi
 * Orbicularis oculi
 * Corrugator supercilii
 * Depressor supercilii
 * Auricular muscles (anterior, superior, posterior)
 * Orbicularis oris
 * Depressor anguli oris
 * Transversus menti
 * Risorius
 * Zygomaticus major
 * Zygomaticus minor
 * Levator labii superioris
 * Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
 * Depressor labii inferioris
 * Levator anguli oris
 * Modiolus
 * Buccinator
 * Mentalis
 * Platysma
 * Tongue