Zygomaticus major muscle
Zygomaticus Major Muscle
The Zygomaticus major muscle (pronunciation: zy-go-mat-ic-us may-jor mus-cle) is a muscle that controls facial expression, drawing the mouth's angle upward and outward. The muscle originates from the zygomatic bone and continues to the skin of the upper lip.
Etymology
The term "Zygomaticus" is derived from the Greek word "zygon," which means yoke. The term "major" is a Latin word that means larger. This is in reference to the muscle's size compared to the zygomaticus minor muscle.
Function
The Zygomaticus major muscle is primarily responsible for controlling facial expressions, particularly smiling. It pulls the corners of the mouth upward and to the side, creating the common expression of happiness or joy.
Related Terms
- Zygomaticus minor muscle: A muscle that is smaller and lies medial to the zygomaticus major muscle. It also helps in producing facial expressions.
- Facial muscles: A group of about 20 flat skeletal muscles lying under the facial skin, most of which are used in showing expressions.
- Zygomatic bone: The bone from which the zygomaticus major muscle originates.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zygomaticus major muscle
- Wikipedia's article - Zygomaticus major muscle
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