Facial Muscles and their IPA Pronunciations

The human face is a complex and expressive canvas, with 43 different muscles allowing for a wide range of emotions and movements. Here’s a list of some key facial muscles along with their pronunciations in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA):

Brow and Forehead:

• Frontalis (/froʊˈnəlis/) – Raises the eyebrows; wrinkles forehead as in surprise or concentration.Opens in a new windowwww.centerforfacialappearances.comFrontalis muscle
• Corrugator supercilii (/kəˈrʌɡeɪtər səʊpərˈsɪliɪ/) – Pulls eyebrows together; creates frown lines.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comCorrugator supercilii muscle
• Procerus (/proʊˈsɪrəs/) – Wrinkles bridge of nose with inner eyebrows; associated with squinting or deep thinking.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comProcerus muscle

Eyes:

• Orbicularis oculi (/ɔːrbɪkjuːˈlærɪs ˈɒkjʊlaɪ/) – Closes eyelids; squints eyes.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comOrbicularis oculi muscle
• Levator palpebrae superioris (/liːˈveɪtər pælˈpebrɪ səʊpɪˈrɪərɪs/) – Raises upper eyelid; opens eyes wide.Opens in a new windowradiopaedia.orgLevator palpebrae superioris muscle
• Depressor supercilii (/dɪˈprɛsər səʊpərˈsɪliɪ/) – Lowers eyebrows; creates sad or worried look.Opens in a new windowwww.rehabmypatient.comDepressor supercilii muscle
• Zygomaticus major (/zaɪɡəˈmætɪkəs ˈmeɪdʒər/) – Raises cheekbones and corners of mouth; associated with smiling.Opens in a new windowwikipedia.orgZygomaticus major muscle
• Zygomaticus minor (/zaɪɡəˈmætɪkəs ˈmaɪnər/) – Raises upper lip slightly and pulls corner of mouth up and back; associated with subtle smile or sneer.Opens in a new windowwww.rehabmypatient.comZygomaticus minor muscle

Nose:

• Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (/liːˈveɪtər ˈleɪbi səʊpɪˈrɪərɪs ˈæliːkwɪ ˈnaɪsaɪ/) – Raises upper lip and widens nostrils; associated with smelling something unpleasant.Opens in a new windowwww.rehabmypatient.comLevator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle
• Depressor septi nasi (/dɪˈprɛsər ˈsɛptai ˈnaɪsaɪ/) – Lowers tip of nose; wrinkles bridge of nose.Opens in a new windowwww.rehabmypatient.comDepressor septi nasi muscle

Cheeks and Mouth:

• Risorius (/rɪˈzɔːriəs/) – Pulls corners of mouth back and up; associated with grinning or sneering.Opens in a new windowen.wikipedia.orgRisorius muscle
• Buccinator (/bʌkˈsɪneɪtər/) – Flattens cheeks and compresses lips; associated with blowing, whistling, or holding food in mouth.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comBuccinator muscle
• Orbicularis oris (/ɔːrbɪkjuːˈlærɪs ˈɔːraɪs/) – Closes lips; forms base for all lip movements.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comOrbicularis oris muscle
• Depressor labii inferioris (/dɪˈprɛsər ˈleɪbiɪ ɪnˈfɪərɪərɪs/) – Lowers lower lip; associated with pouting or sadness.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comDepressor labii inferioris muscle
• Mentalis (/mɛnˈtælɪs/) – Raises and wrinkles chin; associated with determination or concentration.Opens in a new windowwww.kenhub.comMentalis muscle

This is just a selection of the many facial muscles. Each muscle plays a role in creating the wide range of expressions that make up human communication. By understanding the anatomy and function of these muscles, we can better appreciate the complexity and expressiveness of the human face.