Buccinator - Podcast Version 0:00 / 0:00 1x 0.25x 0.5x 0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x 2x The buccinator is an oral muscle of facial expression. It is located between the mandible and maxilla, deep to the other muscles of the face. Attachments – Originates from the maxilla and mandible. The fibres run in an inferomedial direction, blending with the orbicularis oris muscle and the skin of the lips. Actions – Pulls the cheek inwards against the teeth, preventing accumulation of food in that area. Innervation – Buccal branches of the facial nerve. Blood Supply – Buccal artery (branch of the maxillary artery) By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026) Fig 1The main oral muscles of facial expression. Note how the fibres of buccinator and orbicularis oris blend together Pro Feature - 3D Model You've Discovered a Pro Feature Access our 3D Model Library Explore, cut, dissect, annotate and manipulate our 3D models to visualise anatomy in a dynamic, interactive way. Learn More Frequent questions What is the buccinator muscle? The buccinator muscle is an oral muscle responsible for facial expression, located between the mandible and maxilla. It plays a crucial role in manipulating food within the mouth. What are the attachments of the buccinator muscle? The buccinator originates from both the maxilla and mandible, with its fibres running in an inferomedial direction. It blends with the orbicularis oris muscle and the skin of the lips. What actions does the buccinator perform? The primary action of the buccinator muscle is to pull the cheek inward against the teeth. This function helps prevent food from accumulating in the oral vestibule during chewing. How is the buccinator muscle innervated? The buccinator is innervated by the buccal branches of the facial nerve. This nerve supply is essential for the muscle's function in facial expression and oral activities. What is the blood supply to the buccinator muscle? The buccinator muscle receives its blood supply from the buccal artery, which is a branch of the maxillary artery. This vascular supply is vital for the muscle's health and function. Rate This Article