Zygomaticus Muscles

The "zygomaticus minor" is a small bundle of muscle fibers lying in the area of the cheek. The "levator labii superioris" arises from the upper lip, carrying it a little forward. The "levator labii superioris alaque nasi" raises the upper lip and dilates the nostril. These three muscles, working together, form the "nasolabial furrow," from the side of the nose to the upper lip, which is deepened in expressions of sadness. When these muscles work together with another tongue-twister, the "levator angulioris," the furrow deepens into an expression of contempt or disdain. The "zygomaticus major" is larger than the minor, but it also lies in the cheek area and extends down to the mouth. It draws the angle of the mouth upward and backward in laughing. Happiness is one of the six basic expressions, but it uses only a few of a possible 7,000 facial movements. Although a spontaneous grin and a deliberate smile both use cheek and lip muscles, each look requires a different neural pathway from the brain.