Learning Objectives
- Identify the axial muscles of the face, head, and neck
- Identify the movement and function of the face, head, and neck muscles
The skeletal muscles are divided into axial (muscles of the trunk and head) and appendicular (muscles of the arms and legs) categories. This system reflects the bones of the skeleton system, which are also arranged in this manner. The axial muscles are grouped based on location, function, or both. Some of the axial muscles may seem to blur the boundaries because they cross over to the appendicular skeleton. The first grouping of the axial muscles you will review includes the muscles of the head and neck, then you will review the muscles of the vertebral column, and finally you will review the oblique and rectus muscles.
Muscles That Create Facial Expression
The origins of the muscles of facial expression are on the surface of the skull (remember, the origin of a muscle does not move). The insertions of these muscles have fibers intertwined with connective tissue and the dermis of the skin. Because the muscles insert in the skin rather than on bone, when they contract, the skin moves to create facial expression (Figure 1).
Muscles of Facial Expression
Figure 1: Many of the muscles of facial expression insert into the skin surrounding the eyelids, nose and mouth, producing facial expressions by moving the skin rather than bones. (Click on the image to enlarge)
The orbicularis oris is a circular muscle that moves the lips, and the orbicularis oculi is a circular muscle that closes the eye. The occipitofrontalis muscle moves up the scalp and eyebrows. The muscle has a frontal belly and an occipital (near the occipital bone on the posterior part of the skull) belly. In other words, there is a muscle on the forehead (frontalis) and one on the back of the head (occipitalis), but there is no muscle across the top of the head. Instead, the two bellies are connected by a broad tendon called the epicranial aponeurosis, or galea aponeurosis (galea = “apple”). The physicians originally studying human anatomy thought the skull looked like an apple.
The majority of the face is composed of the buccinator muscle, which compresses the cheek. This muscle allows you to whistle, blow, and suck; and it contributes to the action of chewing. There are several small facial muscles, one of which is the corrugator supercilii, which is the prime mover of the eyebrows. Place your finger on your eyebrows at the point of the bridge of the nose. Raise your eyebrows as if you were surprised and lower your eyebrows as if you were frowning. With these movements, you can feel the action of the corrugator supercilli. Additional muscles of facial expression are presented in Figure 2.
Muscles in Facial Expression
Figure 2. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Muscles That Move the Eyes
The movement of the eyeball is under the control of the extrinsic eye muscles, which originate outside the eye and insert onto the outer surface of the white of the eye. These muscles are located inside the eye socket and cannot be seen on any part of the visible eyeball (Figure 3 and Table 1). If you have ever been to a doctor who held up a finger and asked you to follow it up, down, and to both sides, he or she is checking to make sure your eye muscles are acting in a coordinated pattern.
Muscles of the Eyes
Figure 3: (a) The extrinsic eye muscles originate outside of the eye on the skull. (b) Each muscle inserts onto the eyeball. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Table 1. Muscles of the Eyes
| Movement |
Target |
Target motion direction |
Prime mover |
Origin |
Insertion |
| Moves eyes up and toward nose; rotates eyes from 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock |
Eyeballs |
Superior (elevates); medial (adducts) |
Superior rectus |
Common tendinous ring (ring attaches to optic foramen) |
Superior surface of eyeball |
| Moves eyes down and toward nose; rotates eyes from 6 o’clock to 3 o’clock |
Eyeballs |
Inferior (depresses); medial (adducts) |
Inferior rectus |
Common tendinous ring (ring attaches to optic foramen) |
Inferior surface of eyeball |
| Moves eyes away from nose |
Eyeballs |
Lateral (abducts) |
Lateral rectus |
Common tendinous ring (ring attaches to optic foramen) |
Lateral surface of eyeball |
| Moves eyes toward nose |
Eyeballs |
Medial (adducts) |
Medial rectus |
Common tendinous ring (ring attaches to optic foramen) |
Medial surface of eyeball |
| Moves eyes up and away from nose; rotates eyeball from 12 o’clock to 9 o’clock |
Eyeballs |
Superior (elevates); lateral (abducts) |
Inferior oblique |
Floor of orbit (maxilla) |
Surface of eyeball between inferior rectus and lateral rectus |
| Moves eyes down and away from nose; rotates eyeball from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock |
Eyeballs |
Superior (elevates); lateral (abducts) |
Superior oblique |
Sphenoid bone |
Suface of eyeball between superior rectus and lateral rectus |
| Opens eyes |
Upper eyelid |
Superior (elevates) |
Levator palpabrae superioris |
Roof of orbit (sphenoid bone) |
Skin of upper eyelids |
| Closes eyelids |
Eyelid skin |
Compression along superior–inferior axis |
Orbicularis oculi |
Medial bones composing the orbit |
Circumference of orbit |
Muscles That Move the Lower Jaw
In anatomical terminology, chewing is called mastication. Muscles involved in chewing must be able to exert enough pressure to bite through and then chew food before it is swallowed (Figure 4 and Table 2). The masseter muscle is the main muscle used for chewing because it elevates the mandible (lower jaw) to close the mouth, and it is assisted by the temporalis muscle, which retracts the mandible. You can feel the temporalis move by putting your fingers to your temple as you chew.
Muscles That Move the Lower Jaw
Figure 4: The muscles that move the lower jaw are typically located within the cheek and originate from processes in the skull. This provides the jaw muscles with the large amount of leverage needed for chewing.
Table 2. Muscles of the Lower Jaw
| Movement |
Target |
Target motion direction |
Prime mover |
Origin |
Insertion |
| Closes mouth; aids chewing |
Mandible |
Superior (elevates) |
Masseter |
Maxilla arch; zygomatic arch (for masseter) |
Mandible |
| Closes mouth; pulls lower jaw in under upper jaw |
Mandible |
Superior (elevates); posterior (retracts) |
Temporalis |
Temporal bone |
Mandible |
| Opens mouth; pushes lower jaw out under upper jaw; moves lower jaw side-to-side |
Mandible |
Inferior (depresses); posterior (protracts); lateral (abducts); medial (adducts) |
Lateral pterygoid |
Pterygoid process of sphenoid bone |
Mandible |
| Closes mouth; pushes lower jaw out under upper jaw; moves lower jaw side-to-side |
Mandible |
Superior (elevates); posterior (protracts); lateral (abducts); medial (adducts) |
Medial pterygoid |
Sphenoid bone; maxilla |
Mandible; temporo-mandibular joint |
Although the masseter and temporalis are responsible for elevating and closing the jaw to break food into digestible pieces, the medial pterygoid and lateral pterygoid muscles provide assistance in chewing and moving food within the mouth.
Muscles That Move the Tongue
Although the tongue is obviously important for tasting food, it is also necessary for mastication, deglutition (swallowing), and speech (Figure 5 and Figure 6). Because it is so moveable, the tongue facilitates complex speech patterns and sounds.
Muscles that Move the Tongue
Figure 5. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Muscles for Tongue Movement, Swallowing, and Speech
Figure 6. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Tongue muscles can be extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic tongue muscles insert into the tongue from outside origins, and the intrinsic tongue muscles insert into the tongue from origins within it. The extrinsic muscles move the whole tongue in different directions, whereas the intrinsic muscles allow the tongue to change its shape (such as, curling the tongue in a loop or flattening it).
The extrinsic muscles all include the word root glossus (glossus = “tongue”), and the muscle names are derived from where the muscle originates. The genioglossus (genio = “chin”) originates on the mandible and allows the tongue to move downward and forward. The styloglossus originates on the styloid bone, and allows upward and backward motion. The palatoglossus originates on the soft palate to elevate the back of the tongue, and the hyoglossus originates on the hyoid bone to move the tongue downward and flatten it.
Everyday Connections
Anesthesia and the Tongue Muscles
Before surgery, a patient must be made ready for general anesthesia. The normal homeostatic controls of the body are put “on hold” so that the patient can be prepped for surgery. Control of respiration must be switched from the patient’s homeostatic control to the control of the anesthesiologist. The drugs used for anesthesia relax a majority of the body’s muscles.
Among the muscles affected during general anesthesia are those that are necessary for breathing and moving the tongue. Under anesthesia, the tongue can relax and partially or fully block the airway, and the muscles of respiration may not move the diaphragm or chest wall. To avoid possible complications, the safest procedure to use on a patient is called endotracheal intubation. Placing a tube into the trachea allows the doctors to maintain a patient’s (open) airway to the lungs and seal the airway off from the oropharynx. Post-surgery, the anesthesiologist gradually changes the mixture of the gases that keep the patient unconscious, and when the muscles of respiration begin to function, the tube is removed. It still takes about 30 minutes for a patient to wake up, and for breathing muscles to regain control of respiration. After surgery, most people have a sore or scratchy throat for a few days.
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
The muscles of the anterior neck assist in deglutition (swallowing) and speech by controlling the positions of the larynx (voice box), and the hyoid bone, a horseshoe-shaped bone that functions as a solid foundation on which the tongue can move. The muscles of the neck are categorized according to their position relative to the hyoid bone (Figure 7). Suprahyoid muscles are superior to it, and the infrahyoid muscles are located inferiorly.
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
Figure 7: The anterior muscles of the neck facilitate swallowing and speech. The suprahyoid muscles originate from above the hyoid bone in the chin region. The infrahyoid muscles originate below the hyoid bone in the lower neck.
The suprahyoid muscles raise the hyoid bone, the floor of the mouth, and the larynx during deglutition. These include the digastric muscle, which has anterior and posterior bellies that work to elevate the hyoid bone and larynx when one swallows; it also depresses the mandible. The stylohyoid muscle moves the hyoid bone posteriorly, elevating the larynx, and the mylohyoid muscle lifts it and helps press the tongue to the top of the mouth. The geniohyoid depresses the mandible in addition to raising and pulling the hyoid bone anteriorly.
The strap-like infrahyoid muscles generally depress the hyoid bone and control the position of the larynx. The omohyoid muscle, which has superior and inferior bellies, depresses the hyoid bone in conjunction with the sternohyoid and thyrohyoid muscles. The thyrohyoid muscle also elevates the larynx’s thyroid cartilage, whereas the sternothyroid depresses it to create different tones of voice.
Muscles That Move the Head
The head, attached to the top of the vertebral column, is balanced, moved, and rotated by the neck muscles (Table 3). When these muscles act unilaterally, the head rotates. When they contract bilaterally, the head flexes or extends. The major muscle that laterally flexes and rotates the head is the sternocleidomastoid. In addition, both muscles working together are the flexors of the head. Place your fingers on both sides of the neck and turn your head to the left and to the right. You will feel the movement originate there. This muscle divides the neck into anterior and posterior triangles when viewed from the side (Figure 8).
Posterior and Lateral Views of the Neck
Figure 8: The superficial and deep muscles of the neck are responsible for moving the head, cervical vertebrae, and scapulas. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Table 3. Muscles That Move the Head
| Movement |
Target |
Target motion direction |
Prime mover |
Origin |
Insertion |
| Rotates and tilts head to the side; tilts head forward |
Skull; vertebrae |
Individually: rotates head to opposite side; bilaterally: flexion |
Sternocleidomastoid |
Sternum; clavicle |
Temporal bone (mastoid process); occipital bone |
| Rotates and tilts head backward |
Skull; vertebrae |
Individually: laterally flexes and rotates head to same side; bilaterally: extension |
Semispinalis capitis |
Transverse and articular processes of cervical and thoracic vertebra |
Occipital bone |
| Rotates and tilts head to the side; tilts head backward |
Skull; vertebrae |
Individually: laterally flexes and rotates head to same side; bilaterally: extension |
Splenius capitis |
Spinous processes of cervical and thoracic vertebra |
Temporal bone (mastoid process); occipital bone |
| Rotates and tilts head to the side; tilts head backward |
Skull; vertebrae |
Individually: laterally flexes and rotates head to same side; bilaterally: extension |
Longissimus capitis |
Transverse and articular processes of cervical and thoracic vertebra |
Temporal bone (mastoid process) |
Muscles of the Posterior Neck and the Back
The posterior muscles of the neck are primarily concerned with head movements, like extension. The back muscles stabilize and move the vertebral column, and are grouped according to the lengths and direction of the fascicles.
The splenius muscles originate at the midline and run laterally and superiorly to their insertions. From the sides and the back of the neck, the splenius capitis inserts onto the head region, and the splenius cervicis extends onto the cervical region. These muscles can extend the head, laterally flex it, and rotate it (Figure 9).
Muscles of the Neck and Back
Figure 9: The large, complex muscles of the neck and back move the head, shoulders, and vertebral column. (Click on the image to enlarge)
The erector spinae group forms the majority of the muscle mass of the back and it is the primary extensor of the vertebral column. It controls flexion, lateral flexion, and rotation of the vertebral column, and maintains the lumbar curve. The erector spinae comprises the iliocostalis (laterally placed) group, the longissimus (intermediately placed) group, and the spinalis (medially placed) group.
The iliocostalis group includes the iliocostalis cervicis, associated with the cervical region; the iliocostalis thoracis, associated with the thoracic region; and the iliocostalis lumborum, associated with the lumbar region. The three muscles of the longissimus group are the longissimus capitis, associated with the head region; the longissimus cervicis, associated with the cervical region; and the longissimus thoracis, associated with the thoracic region. The third group, the spinalis group, comprises the spinalis capitis (head region), the spinalis cervicis (cervical region), and the spinalis thoracis (thoracic region).
The transversospinales muscles run from the transverse processes to the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Similar to the erector spinae muscles, the semispinalis muscles in this group are named for the areas of the body with which they are associated. The semispinalis muscles include the semispinalis capitis, the semispinalis cervicis, and the semispinalis thoracis. The multifidus muscle of the lumbar region helps extend and laterally flex the vertebral column.
Important in the stabilization of the vertebral column is the segmental muscle group, which includes the interspinales and intertransversarii muscles. These muscles bring together the spinous and transverse processes of each consecutive vertebra. Finally, the scalene muscles work together to flex, laterally flex, and rotate the head. They also contribute to deep inhalation. The scalene muscles include the anterior scalene muscle (anterior to the middle scalene), the middle scalene muscle (the longest, intermediate between the anterior and posterior scalenes), and the posterior scalene muscle (the smallest, posterior to the middle scalene).
Chapter Review
Muscles are either axial muscles or appendicular. The axial muscles are grouped based on location, function, or both. Some axial muscles cross over to the appendicular skeleton. The muscles of the head and neck are all axial. The muscles in the face create facial expression by inserting into the skin rather than onto bone. Muscles that move the eyeballs are extrinsic, meaning they originate outside of the eye and insert onto it. Tongue muscles are both extrinsic and intrinsic. The genioglossus depresses the tongue and moves it anteriorly; the styloglossus lifts the tongue and retracts it; the palatoglossus elevates the back of the tongue; and the hyoglossus depresses and flattens it. The muscles of the anterior neck facilitate swallowing and speech, stabilize the hyoid bone and position the larynx. The muscles of the neck stabilize and move the head. The sternocleidomastoid divides the neck into anterior and posterior triangles.
The muscles of the back and neck that move the vertebral column are complex, overlapping, and can be divided into five groups. The splenius group includes the splenius capitis and the splenius cervicis. The erector spinae has three subgroups. The iliocostalis group includes the iliocostalis cervicis, the iliocostalis thoracis, and the iliocostalis lumborum. The longissimus group includes the longissimus capitis, the longissimus cervicis, and the longissimus thoracis. The spinalis group includes the spinalis capitis, the spinalis cervicis, and the spinalis thoracis. The transversospinales include the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, semispinalis thoracis, multifidus, and rotatores. The segmental muscles include the interspinales and intertransversarii. Finally, the scalenes include the anterior scalene, middle scalene, and posterior scalene.
Review Questions
Exercise 1
Which of the following is a prime mover in head flexion?
- occipitofrontalis
- corrugator supercilii
- sternocleidomastoid
- masseter
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Exercise 2
Where is the inferior oblique muscle located?
- in the abdomen
- in the eye socket
- in the anterior neck
- in the face
Show/Hide Solution
Exercise 3
What is the action of the masseter?
- swallowing
- chewing
- moving the lips
- closing the eye
Show/Hide Solution
Exercise 4
The names of the extrinsic tongue muscles commonly end in ________.
- -glottis
- -glossus
- -gluteus
- -hyoid
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Exercise 5
What is the function of the erector spinae?
- movement of the arms
- stabilization of the pelvic girdle
- postural support
- rotating of the vertebral column
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Critical Thinking Questions
Exercise 6
Explain the difference between axial and appendicular muscles.
Show/Hide Solution
Axial muscles originate on the axial skeleton (the bones in the head, neck, and core of the body), whereas appendicular muscles originate on the bones that make up the body’s limbs.
Exercise 7
Describe the muscles of the anterior neck.
Show/Hide Solution
The muscles of the anterior neck are arranged to facilitate swallowing and speech. They work on the hyoid bone, with the suprahyoid muscles pulling up and the infrahyoid muscles pulling down.
Exercise 8
Why are the muscles of the face different from typical skeletal muscle?
Show/Hide Solution
Most skeletal muscles create movement by actions on the skeleton. Facial muscles are different in that they create facial movements and expressions by pulling on the skin—no bone movements are involved.
Glossary
anterior scalene
a muscle anterior to the middle scalene
appendicular
of the arms and legs
axial
of the trunk and head
buccinator
muscle that compresses the cheek
corrugator supercilii
prime mover of the eyebrows
deglutition
swallowing
digastric
muscle that has anterior and posterior bellies and elevates the hyoid bone and larynx when one swallows; it also depresses the mandible
epicranial aponeurosis
(also, galea aponeurosis) flat broad tendon that connects the frontalis and occipitalis
erector spinae group
large muscle mass of the back; primary extensor of the vertebral column
extrinsic eye muscles
originate outside the eye and insert onto the outer surface of the white of the eye, and create eyeball movement
frontalis
front part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
genioglossus
muscle that originates on the mandible and allows the tongue to move downward and forward
geniohyoid
muscle that depresses the mandible, and raises and pulls the hyoid bone anteriorly
hyoglossus
muscle that originates on the hyoid bone to move the tongue downward and flatten it
iliocostalis cervicis
muscle of the iliocostalis group associated with the cervical region
iliocostalis group
laterally placed muscles of the erector spinae
iliocostalis lumborum
muscle of the iliocostalis group associated with the lumbar region
iliocostalis thoracis
muscle of the iliocostalis group associated with the thoracic region
infrahyoid muscles
anterior neck muscles that are attached to, and inferior to the hyoid bone
lateral pterygoid
muscle that moves the mandible from side to side
longissimus capitis
muscle of the longissimus group associated with the head region
longissimus cervicis
muscle of the longissimus group associated with the cervical region
longissimus group
intermediately placed muscles of the erector spinae
longissimus thoracis
muscle of the longissimus group associated with the thoracic region
masseter
main muscle for chewing that elevates the mandible to close the mouth
mastication
chewing
medial pterygoid
muscle that moves the mandible from side to side
middle scalene
longest scalene muscle, located between the anterior and posterior scalenes
multifidus
muscle of the lumbar region that helps extend and laterally flex the vertebral column
mylohyoid
muscle that lifts the hyoid bone and helps press the tongue to the top of the mouth
occipitalis
posterior part of the occipitofrontalis muscle
occipitofrontalis
muscle that makes up the scalp with a frontal belly and an occipital belly
omohyoid
muscle that has superior and inferior bellies and depresses the hyoid bone
orbicularis oculi
circular muscle that closes the eye
orbicularis oris
circular muscle that moves the lips
palatoglossus
muscle that originates on the soft palate to elevate the back of the tongue
posterior scalene
smallest scalene muscle, located posterior to the middle scalene
scalene muscles
flex, laterally flex, and rotate the head; contribute to deep inhalation
segmental muscle group
interspinales and intertransversarii muscles that bring together the spinous and transverse processes of each consecutive vertebra
semispinalis capitis
transversospinales muscle associated with the head region
semispinalis cervicis
transversospinales muscle associated with the cervical region
semispinalis thoracis
transversospinales muscle associated with the thoracic region
spinalis capitis
muscle of the spinalis group associated with the head region
spinalis cervicis
muscle of the spinalis group associated with the cervical region
spinalis group
medially placed muscles of the erector spinae
spinalis thoracis
muscle of the spinalis group associated with the thoracic region
splenius
posterior neck muscles; includes the splenius capitis and splenius cervicis
splenius capitis
neck muscle that inserts into the head region
splenius cervicis
neck muscle that inserts into the cervical region
sternocleidomastoid
major muscle that laterally flexes and rotates the head
sternohyoid
muscle that depresses the hyoid bone
sternothyroid
muscle that depresses the larynx’s thyroid cartilage
styloglossus
muscle that originates on the styloid bone, and allows upward and backward motion of the tongue
stylohyoid
muscle that elevates the hyoid bone posteriorly
suprahyoid muscles
neck muscles that are superior to the hyoid bone
temporalis
muscle that retracts the mandible
thyrohyoid
muscle that depresses the hyoid bone and elevates the larynx’s thyroid cartilage
transversospinales
muscles that originate at the transverse processes and insert at the spinous processes of the vertebrae
