Zygomaticus

The zygomaticus muscles are a pair of little heroes in your face that give you the power to smile. There are actually two of them on each side: the zygomaticus majorElevator / Smiling muscle Runs from your cheekbone to the corner of your mouth; lifts your smile. and the zygomaticus minorElevator / Upper lip lifter From cheekbone to upper lip, helps you lift your upper lip while smiling. Both run diagonally across your cheek. They stretch from the cheekbone to the corners of your mouthThe opening of the digestive tract where food enters and mastication begins.. They resemble strings on a puppet that tug your lips upward.

• When the zygomaticus major contracts, it pulls the corners of your mouth up and outward—your classic “big smile” muscle.
• The zygomaticus minor elevates the upper lip, giving you that toothy grin.

Together, these muscles create the expressions of joy, laughter, and even mischievous smirks. Functionally, they’re part of the facial expression system controlled by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).

Zygomaticus Origin

The zygomaticus major muscle originates from the zygomaticCheekbones; form lateral walls of orbits and connect to temporal bones via zygomatic process. bone, which is the prominent cheekbone located below the eye socket.

The zygomaticus minor muscle also originates from the zygomatic bone, but it arises slightly above the zygomaticus major. It is a smaller and thinner muscle that runs parallel to the zygomaticus major.

Zygomaticus Insertion

The zygomaticus major inserts into the skinThe body’s largest organ, providing protection and regulation. and muscle at the corner of the mouth. This insertion allows the zygomaticus major to pull the corners of the mouth upward and outward, creating the characteristic smile.

The zygomaticus minor inserts into the skin of the upper lip, near the corner of the mouth. This insertion enables the zygomaticus minor to lift the upper lip, contributing to various facial expressions.

Zygomaticus Actions

Smiling

Speech Articulation