The muscles of the face serve a dual purpose. In addition to regulating the opening and narrowing of the various spaces in the front, they also communicate information about a person’s psychological and emotional state. Thus, they are essential in conveying messages via body language. The facial musculature consists of a score of flat, striated muscles underlying the skin of the head and face. Most of these muscles have an origin connected to bones or fibrous structures of the skull with a tendinous attachment to the overlying skin. Unlike other groups of striated muscles, except the buccinator, there is no investing fascial sheath. The forces of the face either surround the oral, ocular, nasal, and otic openings or connect different parts of the skull and neck. Their positioning permits these muscles to perform a range of facial gestures. The forces act together to create the full range of expressions, including smiling, grimacing, etc. The following muscles are all considered facial muscles: occipitofrontalis, orbicularis oculi, corrugator supercilii, procerus, nasalis, orbicularis oris, levator labii superioris, zygomaticus minor, buccinator, zygomaticus major, levator anguli oris, risorius, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, mentalis, and platysma.