Orbicularis oris muscle
| 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 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. 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.
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.