--- title: Zygomaticus Minor Muscle slug: zygomaticus-minor-muscle-1a664 url: /detay/zygomaticus-minor-muscle-1a664 type: article language: English entity: primary: Zygomaticus Minor Muscle type: article disambiguation: Learn about the Zygomaticus Minor Muscle: its anatomy, function in smiling, and clinical relevance. Understand its origin, innervation, and potential variations. categories: - name: Health And Medicine slug: saglik-ve-tip url: /kategori/saglik-ve-tip tags: - Facial Anatomy - Smiling - Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Expressions - Zygomaticus minor author: Emin Neşat Gürses created_at: 2025-08-02T13:51:37.383068+03:00 updated_at: 2025-08-31T17:40:08.423389+03:00 --- # Zygomaticus Minor Muscle ## KURE Information Cards ![PYUdUxbFMVZeeFCoV5txqoxzYjvCex9Y.png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/02/KPTDdNMRShbXsjaL651aAeUgRbELIi4d.png) *Zygomaticus Minor Muscle* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Function(s) | It contributes to the smiling movement by lifting the upper lip. | | Artery | It is supplied by the facial artery. | | Border | It is innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). | ## Article Content *The Zygomaticus Minor Muscle* is a slender facial muscle involved in facial expressions. It originates from the [zygomatic bone](/en/detay/frontal-bone-041e8/llms.txt) and attaches to the lateral portion of the upper lip, affecting movements such as smiling. It is innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). ### **Anatomy** #### **Morphology and Connection Points** The [Zygomaticus Minor Muscle](/en/detay/zygomaticus-minor-kasi-dc614/llms.txt) courses at an inferomedial angle of approximately 30° and has an average width of 0.5 cm. The muscle originates from the lateral surface of the zygomatic bone and inserts into the muscle tissue of the upper lip. Its origin is located just posterior to the zygomaticomaxillary suture and joins the [levator labii superioris muscle](/en/detay/levator-labii-superioris-muscle-1727b/llms.txt) at its distal end. In terms of its relationship, the muscle is positioned lateral to the levator labii superioris and medial to the [zygomaticus major muscle](/en/detay/masseter-muscle-70e1a/llms.txt). The course of the muscle fibers can vary between individuals; they can be straight or curved, and sometimes, in addition to the upper lip, they can also insert into the lateral alar region. ### **Embryological Origin and Classification** The Zygomaticus Minor Muscle originates embryologically from the second pharyngeal arch and is classified among the muscles responsible for facial expressions. Its motor innervation is provided by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). Functionally, it is included in the facial muscle group and plays a key role in facial expressions, especially [smiling movements](/en/detay/gulumsemek-f2f7d/llms.txt). In some cases, when the muscle is underdeveloped, its function can be compensated for by adjacent muscles. ### **Nerve Innervation and Vascular Supply** Motor innervation of the Zygomaticus Minor Muscle is provided by the zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII). These nerves control the precise and coordinated movements of the muscle. While detailed information on its vascular supply is not included in the text, it is known that facial muscles are generally supplied by branches of the facial artery. Neural and vascular structures are critical for the proper execution of the muscle's facial functions. ### **Function and Clinical Relationships** The Zygomaticus Minor Muscle plays a particularly active role during smiling. It pulls the upper lip upward, backward, and outward, ensuring a positive facial expression suitable for social communication. This movement is a key component of facial expression coordination and is effective in conveying emotional expressions. While specific clinical information is not included in the text, underdevelopment or dysfunction of the zygomaticus minor muscle can lead to asymmetry in facial expressions or smile disorders. Muscle variations and their adjacent relationships should be considered in surgical interventions, particularly in facial aesthetics and reconstruction procedures. Individual differences in muscle fiber course and insertion points are important for surgical planning and preventing nerve damage. ## Academic Sources and References 1. "Anatomical Study of Zygomaticus Muscles and Their Clinical Implications."  MDPI . Access date: 3 July 2025. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/12/4110 ."Intramuscular Hemangioma in the Zygomaticus Minor Muscle: A Case Report and Literature Review."  ResearchGate . Accessed July 3, 2025.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351182566\_Intramuscular\_hemangioma\_in\_the\_zygomaticus\_minor\_muscle\_a\_case\_report\_and\_literature\_review ."Positional Relationship Between the Orbicularis Oculi and Zygomaticus Complex Muscles by Ultrasonography: New Anatomical Insights for Crow's Feet Injection."  ResearchGate . Accessed July 3, 2025.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391533445\_Positional\_Relationship\_Between\_the\_Orbicularis\_Oculi\_and\_Zygomaticus\_Complex\_Muscles\_by\_Ultrasonography\_New\_Anatomical\_Insights\_for\_Crow%27s\_Feet\_Injection .Sung, H., et al. "Morphological Study of the Zygomaticus Minor and Zygomaticus Major Muscles."  PubMed , 2021. Accessed July 3, 2025.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34690311/#:\~:text=Zygomaticus%20minor%20(Zmin)%20and%20zygomaticus,parameters%20of%20Zmin%20and%20Zmaj .