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Facial Muscle Labeling Quiz: Muscles of Facial Expression

Quick, free muscles of facial expression quiz with images. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Helen WittUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for facial muscle labeling quiz on a coral background

This quiz helps you practice facial muscle labeling and spot key muscles of facial expression on images. Build recall for class, lab, or exams, then keep learning with a facial muscles quiz, or explore nearby structures with a skull labeling quiz and a mandible labeling quiz.

Which muscle encircles the mouth and is primarily responsible for closing and pursing the lips?
Orbicularis oris
Buccinator
Zygomaticus major
Risorius
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The muscle that gently closes the eyelids is the palpebral part of orbicularis oculi.
True
False
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Which muscle elevates the corners of the mouth to produce a genuine smile?
Mentalis
Depressor anguli oris
Zygomaticus major
Procerus
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Which thin, sheet-like muscle tenses the skin of the neck and can depress the mandible slightly?
Temporalis
Levator anguli oris
Platysma
Masseter
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The buccinator muscle helps keep food between the teeth by pressing the cheek against the molars.
True
False
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Which muscle elevates the upper lip and also contributes to nasolabial fold prominence, lying just medial to zygomaticus minor?
Depressor labii inferioris
Risorius
Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
Platysma
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Which muscle draws down the lower lip, exposing the mandibular incisors?
Depressor anguli oris
Zygomaticus minor
Depressor labii inferioris
Mentalis
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The procerus muscle elevates the medial portion of the eyebrow, creating surprised transverse lines on the forehead.
True
False
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Which small cheek muscle elevates the upper lip but produces a subtler smile than zygomaticus major?
Risorius
Levator anguli oris
Zygomaticus minor
Buccinator
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Which muscle lifts the corner of the mouth, contributing to a Mona Lisa-style smile at the oral commissure?
Depressor labii inferioris
Orbicularis oris
Zygomaticus major
Levator anguli oris
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Which small muscle draws the medial angle of the eyebrows downward, contributing to frowning?
Procerus
Frontal belly of occipitofrontalis
Auricularis anterior
Zygomaticus minor
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The depressor anguli oris elevates the oral commissure during smiling.
False
True
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Which muscle forms a sphincter around the eye and is essential for blinking and winking?
Procerus
Orbicularis oculi
Levator palpebrae superioris
Corrugator supercilii
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Which muscle primarily creates nasolabial furrow deepening when smiling widely?
Auricularis superior
Zygomaticus minor
Depressor labii inferioris
Risorius
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All facial expression muscles originate from bone and insert onto other bones.
True
False
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Which muscle draws the lower lip down and laterally, especially during expressions of irony or doubt?
Risorius
Levator labii superioris
Zygomaticus major
Depressor labii inferioris
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The alar part of nasalis compresses the nostrils to narrow the anterior nasal aperture.
False
True
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Which muscle, when hyperactive, most directly contributes to a pebbled or dimpled chin appearance?
Mentalis
Buccinator
Platysma
Depressor anguli oris
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Which muscle's paralysis leads to drooling by failure to press cheek against teeth, allowing food to collect in the vestibule?
Buccinator
Procerus
Orbicularis oris
Zygomaticus major
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Levator anguli oris depresses the oral commissure to create a frown.
False
True
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Facial Muscles -

    Learn to recognize and label the major muscles responsible for facial expression by name and anatomical location.

  2. Differentiate Muscle Functions -

    Distinguish between various facial muscles by their roles in expressions like smiling, frowning, and blinking.

  3. Apply Labeling Skills -

    Practice accurate placement of muscle names on diagrams to reinforce your face muscle labeling technique.

  4. Analyze Anatomical Relationships -

    Explore how neighboring muscles interact and overlap to produce complex facial movements.

  5. Recall Origin and Insertion Points -

    Memorize where each muscle attaches to bone or tissue to deepen your understanding of facial anatomy.

  6. Enhance Retention Through Quiz Feedback -

    Use instant quiz results to identify areas for improvement and solidify your mastery of facial muscle labeling.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Orbicularis Oculi -

    The orbicularis oculi encircles the eye and is responsible for blinking and gentle eyelid closure. According to Gray's Anatomy and NIH physiology references, its palpebral part handles involuntary blinking, while the orbital part enables forceful winking. Remember "O for Ocular circle" to nail the facial muscle labeling around the eye.

  2. Zygomaticus Major & Minor -

    These paired muscles extend from the zygomatic bone to the mouth corners, elevating the lips to produce a smile. University of California's Anatomy Lab notes the major is larger and more lateral, while the minor sits above it for subtle lip movements. Use the mnemonic "Major smiles big, Minor's a little grin" to streamline face muscle labeling tasks.

  3. Buccinator -

    Located deep in the cheek, the buccinator compresses the cheek during chewing and aids in whistling. Research in the Journal of Anatomy highlights its role in maintaining food between the teeth and stabilizing the cheek against overexpansion. Picture a "trumpeter's cheek" to quickly spot it in any facial muscles quiz.

  4. Frontalis & Corrugator Supercilii -

    The frontalis raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead, while the corrugator supercilii draws the eyebrows together into a frown. The American Association of Anatomists describes them as part of the epicranius, linked by the galea aponeurotica. Remember "Brow duo: Frontalis high, Corrugator low" for your next muscles of facial expression quiz.

  5. Platysma -

    This superficial neck muscle tenses the skin of the lower face and neck, contributing to expressions like horror or surprise. NIH musculoskeletal guidelines emphasize its role in depressing the mandible and lower lip. Keep "Platysma's plait on the neck" in mind to label face muscles clearly.

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