MUSCLES OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Muscle Function Innervations Blood Supply

MUSCLES OF THE SCALP
Occipitofrontalis
Occipital Retracts Surprise/ Supraorbital artery
CN VII
scalp curiosity Supratrochlear artery
Frontalis Elevates eyebrows
MUSCLES OF FACIAL EXPRESSION
Orbicularis oculi
Palpebral Close
eyelids
gently
Winking
Orbital Close
eyelids
tightly
Corrugator supercilli Create
Concern/
vertical
worry
wrinkles
Compressor naris Compress
mobile nasal Disdain/
cartilages dislike
Procerus Wrinkles
skin of nose
Orbicularis oris Compresses Kissing/
lips together blowing
Dilator naris Widens Flaring
nasal nostrils/
aperture anger/
Levator labii superioris exertion CN VII Facial Artery
alaeque nasi
Levator labii superioris
Sadness
Zygomaticus minor
Zygomaticus major Smile
(bilateral),
Separates sneer
lips/ dilators (unilateral)
Levator anguli oris of mouth Grinning/
grimacing
Risorius Frown/
Depressor anguli oris sadness
Depressor labii inferioris Pouting/
sadness
Mentalis Doubt
Buccinator Compresses
cheeks and
Blowing
lips against
teeth
Platysma* Depresses Tension/
mandible stress
Head  and  Neck  –  Muscles,  General  Innervations,  General  Arterial  Blood  Supply  |  1    
 
MUSCLES OF MASTICATION
Internal (medial) pterygoid Elevates mandible
Temporalis Elevates mandible
CN V3
External (lateral) pterygoid Protracts mandible; Maxillary artery
depresses mandible
Masseter Elevates mandible
MUSCLES OF THE TONGUE
Intrinsic Muscles
Superior longitudinal Elevates apex and sides of
tongue; retrudes tongue
Inferior longitudinal Depresses apex of tongue;
retrudes tongue CN XII Lingual artery
Transverse Protrudes tongue
Vertical Flattes and broadens
tongue
Extrinsic Muscles
Genioglossus Depresses tongue;
protrudes tongue through
mouth
Hyoglossus Depresses tongue
CN XII Lingual artery
Styloglossus Retrudes tongue; curls
sides
Palatoglossus Elevates posterior tongue;
depresses soft palate
MUSCLES OF THE NECK
Platysma* Depresses mandible CN VII Facial artery
Superior thyroid artery
Superficial cervical artery
Internal thoracic artery
Sternocleidomastoid Extend head, flex neck
(bilateral action); rotate
Occipital artery
head contralateral, turn
Superior thyroid artery
head ipsilateral (unilateral
CN XI, C2,3
action)
Trapezius Extend neck (bilateral
action); ipsilateral flexion Transverse cervical artery
(unilateral action)
Suprahyoid group: Depresses mandible
Digastric
Posterior belly Depress mandible, elevate CN VII Occipital artery
Anterior belly hyoid bone CN V3 Facial artery
Maxillary artery
Stylohyoid Elevate and retract hyoid Superior thyroid artery
CN VII
bone, depress mandible Lingual artery
Mylohyoid Depress mandible, elevate
hyoid bone, floor of mouth, CN V3 Maxillary artery
tongue
Geniohyoid Depress mandible, elevate
hyoid bone C1,2 Lingual artery

Head  and  Neck  –  Muscles,  General  Innervations,  General  Arterial  Blood  Supply  |  2    
 
Infrahyoid group (Strap Muscles): Depresses hyoid bone
Sternohyoid
Omohyoid
Depress hyoid bone
Inferior belly C1,2,3 (Ansa cervicalis) Superior thyroid artery
Superior belly Inferior thyroid artery
Sternothyroid Depress hyoid and larynx Lingual artery
Thyrohyoid Depress hyoid bone,
C1 (via CN XII)
elevates larynx
Root of the Neck
Anterior vertebral muscles
Longus colli Flex neck; contralateral Anterior rami of cervical
rotation (unilateral action) nerves (C2-C6)
Longus capitis Anterior rami of cervical
Ascending cervical artery
nerves (C1-C3)
Flex head
Rectus capitis anterior C1,2 (branches)
Anterior scalene C4,5,6
Lateral vertebral muscles
Rectus capitis lateralis Flexes head Ascending cervical artery
C1,2 (branches) Vertebral artery
Occipital artery
Splenius capitis Lateral flex, rotate head
and neck ipsilateral; extend Posterior rami of middle
Occipital artery
head and neck (bilateral cervical spinal nerves
action)
Levator scapulae Downward rotation of
Dorsal scapular nerve Dorsal scapular artery
scapula
Middle scalene Lateral flexion of neck;
elevates 1st rib Anterior rami of cervical
Ascending cervical artery
Posterior scalene Lateral flexion of neck; spinal nerves
elevates 2nd rib

Sources: Moore, K.L., et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 6th Edition

Snell, R.S. Clinical Anatomy by Regions. 8th Edition
Anatomy Expert: http://www.anatomyexpert.com/a_to_z/

Head  and  Neck  –  Muscles,  General  Innervations,  General  Arterial  Blood  Supply  |  3