Muscular system · Head and neck
Zygomaticus minor !
The zygomaticus minor is a slim muscle from the cheekbone, just inside the zygomaticus major; it lifts the upper lip.
Official name: Zygomaticus minor muscle
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What it is
A slim strap inside the zygomaticus major.
What it does
Lifts the upper lip.
Key facts
- Origin
- Zygomatic bone
- Insertion
- Upper lip
- Action
- Lifts the upper lip
- Nerve
- Facial nerve (CN VII): zygomatic and buccal branches
- Blood supply
- Facial artery branches
Relations
- Superficial
- Skin and malar fat of the cheek; the lower edge of the orbicularis oculi at its origin
- Deep
- Levator anguli oris and the infraorbital region of the maxilla
- Medial
- Levator labii superioris, with which it merges in the upper lip
- Lateral
- Zygomaticus major
- Below
- Orbicularis oris of the upper lip, lateral to the philtrum
How to find it
Asked to raise the upper lip in a smile that shows the upper teeth, a slim strip tightens between the zygomatic bone and the upper lip, just inside the zygomaticus major.
Examination
- Showing the upper teeth: the upper lip does not rise on the weak side and the nasolabial fold flattens
On imaging
Too thin to see reliably on routine imaging. On high-resolution ultrasound it lies medial to and parallel with the zygomaticus major, running into the upper lip. Its action is judged clinically, with the other lip elevators, by asking for a smile. Imaging here mainly maps the facial artery and vein running deep to it before cosmetic injections, and assesses lumps of the cheek.
Clinical notes
- Its pull, with the other upper-lip elevators, contributes to the depth of the nasolabial fold
- Often fused with the orbicularis oculi or the levator labii superioris, so it is rarely treated or reconstructed on its own
Anatomical variants
- Absent or merged with neighbouring muscles in some people
Development
Second pharyngeal arch muscle, separated only incompletely from its neighbours, which fits its frequent fusion with them.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Where does the zygomaticus minor insert, compared with the zygomaticus major?
Into the upper lip, while the zygomaticus major inserts into the modiolus at the mouth corner.
Which muscles lift the upper lip together with the zygomaticus minor?
The levator labii superioris and its alaeque nasi part; together they show the upper teeth and deepen the nasolabial fold.
What sign shows weakness of the zygomaticus minor on showing the upper teeth?
The upper lip does not rise on the weak side and the nasolabial fold flattens (facial nerve).
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- musculus zygomaticus minor TA2 2080
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Músculo cigomático menor
- English (TA2)
- Zygomaticus minor muscle
- Also called
- caput zygomaticum musculi quadrati labii superioris
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Head and Neck: Facial Muscles; Anatomy, Head and Neck: Face; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Muscles (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
