Muscles of the Head

Overview

Muscles of the head support expression, speech, mastication and eye movement. This section introduces the key functional groups that contribute to communication, sensory control and feeding.

Key Structures

Topics include the tongue muscles, muscles of facial expression, extraocular muscles and the muscles of mastication. Each page outlines attachments, actions and nerve supply.

Clinical Relevance and Learning Focus

Muscle anatomy is fundamental for evaluating facial palsy, ocular movement disorders and mastication problems. Understanding innervation patterns assists with neurological examination and diagnosis.

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Lateral view diagram of the oral muscles of facial expression, highlighting the blending of buccinator and orbicularis oris fibers.

Facial Expression

Diagram of the masseter muscle, showing only the superficial head.

Mastication

Diagram illustrating the sensory innervation of the tongue by the lingual nerve.

The Tongue

Popular

Illustration of the dorsal layer of foot muscles, including the extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis.
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Superior view of the pelvic floor with emphasis on the prerectal fibers of the puborectalis muscle.
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Pubococcygeus

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Overview of the anatomical course of the facial nerve (CN VII).
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The Facial Nerve (CN VII)

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