The Unsung Heroes of Your Face: A Deep Dive into Facial Muscles

Of the 43 muscles that control our facial functions, many allow us to enjoy a good meal and express delight without uttering a word. Mastication muscles grant us the ability to open and close our jaws and chew our food, while related muscles facilitate swallowing. Facial expression muscles in our jaws and scalp enable nonverbal communication—whether through a smile, a pout, a kiss, or a raised eyebrow.