Zygomaticus major muscle

Zygomaticus major
Muscles of the head, face, and neck. Zygomaticus major shown in red.
Details
Origin	anterior of zygomatic
Insertion	modiolus of mouth
Artery	facial artery
Nerve	zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve
Actions	draws angle of mouth upward and laterally
Identifiers
Latin	musculus zygomaticus major
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12551382
TA	A04.1.03.029
FMA	46810
Anatomical terms of muscle []

The zygomaticus major is a muscle of the human body. It is a muscle of facial expression which draws the angle of the mouth superiorly and posteriorly to allow one to smile. Like all muscles of facial expression, the zygomatic major is innervated by the facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve), more specifically, the buccal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve.

The zygomaticus extends from each zygomatic arch (cheekbone) to the corners of the mouth.

It raises the corners of the mouth when a person smiles. Dimples may be caused by variations in the structure of this muscle as normally most of the people has a single united muscle. It is thought that dimples are caused by bifid zygomaticus major muscle.

Position of zygomaticus major muscle. Animation.

Muscles of the head, face, and neck. Zygomaticus major shown in red.