Muscles of facial expression

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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.