Muscle Names · Muscular System · Medium

Risorius

Meaning: A narrow facial muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth sideways, as in a grimace.

In practice: Risorius helps draw the angle of the mouth laterally when smiling.

Quick check

Two questions on related muscle names words.

Which word means: A small muscle at the top of the nose that pulls the eyebrows down, creating horizontal frown lines.

Which word means: A muscle that elevates or lifts a structure, such as the levator scapulae or levator ani.

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