How the Body Works : Facial Expressions

There are more than thirty muscles that are attached to the bones of the skull and inserted into the facial skin. These are the muscles which give our faces their mobility, moving under the skin to create the repertoire of expressions we use to match our conversation or mood. Even when a face appears expressionless, the muscles still maintain tone, giving tension to the skin. When we smile the zygomaticus and risorius muscles pull the mouth up and back and orbicularis oculi muscles contract to narrow the eyes. Frown lines and narrowed eyes, which characterize an expression of concern, are caused by contraction of the corrugator and orbicularis muscles.

Icyou | June 2, 2008

Tags:. .ey. .line. .under. .caus. .bodi