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The muscles of the face are the only muscle group in the human body that insert directly into the skin. They originate from bone or fascia and sit in the subcutaneous tissue. When these muscles contract, they pull on the skin resulting in facial expressions or movements. The muscles of the face can be broadly divided into three groups: the orbital group, the nasal group, and the oral group. Each group consists of multiple muscles that have their own function:

• The orbital group, contains three muscles:
  • Orbicularis Oculi, divided into three parts:
    • Palpebral: closes the eyelids
    • Lacrimal: is involved in tear drainage
    • Orbital: closes the eyelids
  • Corrugator supercilii: draws the eyebrows together
  • Depressor supercilii: depression of the eyebrow
• The nasal group, also containing three muscles:
  • Nasalis, divided into two parts:
    • Transverse: compresses the nostrils
    • Alar: opens the nostrils
  • Procerus: pulls down the eyebrows when contracted
  • Depressor septi nasi: when contracted pulls on the nasal septum inferiorly and opens the nostrils
• The oral group, the largest group containing twelve muscles:
  • Orbicularis Oris: purses the lips
  • Buccinator: pulls the cheeks in against the teeth
  • Platysma: draws the corners of the mouth downwards
  • Two remaining groups that work on the lips and mouth:
    • Lower group with the depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and mentalis.
    • Upper group with the risorius, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and levator anguli oris.