1. MUSCLES OF THE HEAD

2. Head and Neck Muscles
There are 4 basic functions of head and neck muscles:
swallowing and chewing (mastication)
making facial expressions
moving your neck
supporting your head

3. Muscles of the Head and Neck

4. Posterior neck muscles
The muscles in the neck help to support the head. How much do you think an average adult head weighs?
(over 11 pounds)

5. Stop and Think
1-2. What are 2 muscles of mastication?
  masseter, temporalis
3. What muscle would you use to close your eye?
orbicularis oculi
What muscle would you use to kiss?
orbicularis oris
5. What muscle would you use to whistle?
  buccinator, orbicularis oris

6. 6. What is the origin of the zygomaticus?
zygomatic bone
What muscle allows you to frown?
Platysma, Orbicularis oris, Frontalis
and Mentalis (not discussed)
To look down use your
Sternocleidomastoid
Are the semispinalis capitis and the splenius capitis synergists?
yes

7. Study tip reminders Touch the muscles as you say them.
Picture the muscles origin and insertion.
Act out the muscle action.
Look at pictures of real people.
Practice with a friend.
Seek out quizzes and animations on-line.

8. Our friends John and Lizzy

9. Click on the picture to watch a great explanation of head and neck muscles.