Function of facial muscles. Features of the structure of the muscles of the face

Together with the bones, the muscles are the support of the body. In our body they are everywhere, even on the head. What muscles exist? What is the main function of mimic facial muscles? We will learn more about this.

Muscles of man

Depending on the method of determination in the human body, there are from 640 to 850 muscles. With their help, we carry out most of the actions: talking, breathing, walking, blinking, etc. The muscles form the body and attach to the bones on both sides.

They consist of an elastic tissue, capable of stretching and contracting. Their movement provides a connection with the nerve endings and is carried out by means of nerve impulses. The work of the muscles accompanies all the physiological processes in the body.

In the body they form three large groups: skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle. Man controls only skeletal muscles and can arbitrarily cut them. The other two groups are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, have a certain rhythm and do not depend on our consciousness.

The main feature of muscles is the ability to fatigue. This happens because of a long and heavy load. However, if you do not use muscles and do not train them, they on the contrary become decrepit, weaken and perform their functions poorly.

Types of facial muscles

On the face there are 57 muscles. They are divided into masticatory and mimic. The chewing gums attach to the lower jaw and respond not only for chewing, but also for swallowing and speaking. The group includes four muscles:

• Chewing,
• Temporal,
• Lateral,
• Medial pterygoid.

Mimic muscles of a man are somewhat different from the others. They are thin and arranged in beams near the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. They are attached to the skull bone with only one side. The other side connects with the skin tissues. This allows you to give greater mobility to the areas of the face. Some of them do not depart from the bone, but from the ligaments.

Most muscles of the face are paired, the exception is the supracranial, nasal and circular muscles of the mouth. They are located at different levels and, depending on this, are divided into deep, superficial and medium. Deep, for example, include the chin, the cheek, to the middle - the square muscle of the lower lip and the canine, the circumferential muscles of the mouth, the zygomatic, the square, etc., are superficial.

What is the function of mimic muscles?

Facial muscles play an important role in the social life of a person. Their contractions form certain facial expressions, changing the depth of the folds of the skin. So, others can distinguish and understand our emotions in communication. With their help, we express sadness, joy, hatred, smile and laugh.

The main function of mimic muscles is associated with the opening, narrowing and closing of natural openings on the face. Depending on these actions, they are divided into muscle compressors and dilators. The first are placed above the body parts in a circle, the second radially away from them.

Some muscles and their functions are presented in the table.

Diseases of the muscles of the face

Violations in the work of muscles are manifested in the loss of their tone and ability to contract. Pathologies arise for various reasons, for example, due to trauma, infection, violation of humoral regulation and the work of the nervous system, cellular changes.

Affect the work of muscles can stretch, break, as well as various diseases, sometimes not directly related to their activities: heart attack, stroke, paralysis of facial muscles. The pathological condition is congenital, due to genetic abnormalities or mechanical damages during the fetal gestation.

It happens that the function of facial muscles is disrupted temporarily. So, the temporary form can have a nervous tic. It can occur even in a healthy body. After a strong emotional load or strong overstrain, individual muscles begin to quickly and spontaneously contract. At least once in a lifetime a nervous tic occurs in every person.

Muscle paralysis

One of the most unpleasant diseases - paralysis of facial muscles, which is associated with damage to the facial nerve. The cause of its occurrence are traumas, tumors, inflammations. Paralysis also manifests itself in congenital pathologies or nerve damage during surgery.

During this disease, the person becomes asymmetric, skewed to a healthy side (in the case of unilateral paralysis). The function of mimic muscles is disrupted, they lose their tone and the ability to fully close the jaws and eyes.

The disease is accompanied by pain in the ear, face, occiput. There is an increased sensitivity to sounds and tear. The eye on the injured side rises above the healthy one and is opened more strongly.

Gymnastics of facial muscles

The muscles of the face are amenable to formation and training, like any other. Daily gymnastics can improve blood circulation in them, increase their tone and elasticity. It is used to prevent wrinkles, aging of the skin, helps to restore muscles in pathologies.

There are hundreds of exercises for the face aimed at different parts of it. One of them is called "Surprise". It consists of a wide opening of the eyes and a look at one point, while it does not cost to wrinkle and strain the forehead.

The cheeks and the circular muscle of the mouth are trained in a broad smile with a closed mouth. Lips stretch as much as possible, then relax. Repeat exercise about 25 times. The cheeks also perfectly train, if to inflate them, having typed in a mouth air.