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Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpMentalis muscle
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ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpMentalis muscle

Mentalis muscle

Author: Jana Vasković, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Muscles of facial expression [12:24]
Overview of the muscles responsible for facial expression.
Mentalis muscle (Musculus mentalis)

Mentalis is a paired conical facial muscle located in the chin which belongs to the buccolabial muscles of facial expression, along with levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator labii superioris, levator anguli oris, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, risorius, depressor labii inferioris, depressor anguli oris, orbicularis oris, incisivus superior and inferior, and buccinator muscles.

All these muscles work together to produce facial expressions that involve the lips, chin and cheeks. The mentalis muscle is involved in expressing doubt and contempt, as it elevates, everts and protrudes the lower lip, and wrinkles the skin of the chin.

Key facts about the mentalis muscle
Origin Incisive fossa of mandible
Insertion Skin of chin (Mentolabial sulcus)
Action Elevates, everts and protrudes lower lip, wrinkles skin of chin
Innervation Mandibular branch of facial nerve (CN VII)
Blood supply Inferior labial branch of facial artery, mental branch of the maxillary artery

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of mentalis muscle.

Contents
  1. Origin and insertion
  2. Relations
  3. Innervation
  4. Blood supply
  5. Function
  6. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and insertion

The mentalis muscle originates from the incisive fossa of the mandible, inferior to the lateral incisor. 

All fibers of the mentalis muscle insert into the skin of the chin, contributing to its [soft] dome-shaped appearance. The medialmost fibers course anteromedially, sometimes merging/crossing with their fellows on the contralateral side. The uppermost fibers project anteriorly, blending with the inferior border of the orbicularis muscle.  

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Relations

The mentalis muscles lie on the mandible, on each side of the frenulum of the lower lip; their origins define the depth of the labial sulcus. The superolateral part of each muscle is covered by the depressor labii inferioris muscle, while the remainder of the mentalis muscle bellies is subcutaneous. 

Mentalis muscle
Musculus mentalis
1/3
Synonyms: none

Innervation

Mentalis is innervated by the mandibular branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Inferior labial branch of facial artery and mental branch of the maxillary artery supply the mentalis muscle.

Marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve
Ramus marginalis mandibulae nervi facialis
1/3
Synonyms: Marginal mandibular branch, Ramus marginalis mandibulae

Function

Pullings its cutaneous attachment superiorly, mentalis muscle elevates the base of the lower lip, thus everting and protruding it. This movement also wrinkles the skin of the chin. The function of these movements is to adjust the shape of the lips for drinking, as well as to express facial expressions associated with the emotions of sorrow, contempt and doubt (i.e., 'pouting'). 

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Brennan, P. A., Mahadevan, V., & Evans, B. T. (2016). Clinical head and neck anatomy for surgeons. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
  • Hiatt, J. L., & Gartner, L. P. (2010). Textbook of head and neck anatomy (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Palastanga, N., & Soames, R. (2012). Anatomy and human movement: structure and function (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

Illustrators:

  • Mentalis muscle (Musculus mentalis) - Yousun Koh

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