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Skeletal Muscles of the Head and Neck

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  • Frontalis muscle function

    Raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead.

  • Occipitalis muscle function

    Pulls the scalp backward.

  • Orbicularis oculi primary action

    Closes the eyelids for blinking and squinting.

  • Orbicularis oris function

    Closes and protrudes the lips, used in kissing and whistling.

  • Zygomaticus major and minor action

    Raise the corners of the mouth to produce smiling.

  • Buccinator muscle role

    Compresses the cheek, important for blowing and sucking.

  • Masseter muscle function

    Elevates the mandible to close the jaw; main muscle for chewing.

  • Temporalis muscle actions

    Elevates and retracts the mandible, assisting in chewing.

  • Sternocleidomastoid bilateral action

    Flexes the neck when both sides contract.

  • Sternocleidomastoid unilateral action

    Rotates the head to the opposite side when one side contracts.

  • Platysma muscle function

    Tenses the skin of the neck and helps depress the mandible.

  • Scalenes muscle group functions

    Assist in neck flexion and lateral movement and help elevate the first two ribs during deep inhalation.

  • Levator scapulae muscle actions

    Elevates the scapula and assists in neck flexion.

  • Primary functions of head and neck muscles

    Facial expression, mastication, head and neck movement, swallowing, and speech.