| Orbicularis oris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Maxilla and mandible |
| Insertion | Skin around the lips |
| Artery | Inferior labial artery and superior labial artery. |
| Nerve | Cranial nerve VII, buccal branch |
| Actions | It is sometimes known as the kissing muscle[1] because it is used to pucker the lips. |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus orbicularis oris |
| TA98 | A04.1.03.023 |
| TA2 | 2073 |
| FMA | 46841 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
In human anatomy, the orbicularis oris muscle is a complex of muscles in the lips that encircles the mouth.[2] It is not a true sphincter, as was once thought, as it is actually composed of four independent quadrants that interlace and give only an appearance of circularity.[3]
It is also one of the muscles used in the playing of all brass instruments and some woodwind instruments. This muscle closes the mouth and puckers the lips when it contracts.
- ^ "Muscles - Facial". BBC : Science & Nature : Human Body & Mind. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ^ "orbicularis oris muscle". TheFreeDictionary : Mosby's Dental Dictionary, 2nd edition. 2008. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
- ^ Saladin, "Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function". 5th edition. McGraw Hill. Page 330