Mentalis

General information

Mentalis is a facial muscle situated in the chin. Along with the 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, these muscles make up the buccolabial muscles producing facial expressions involving the lips, chin and the cheeks.

Literal meaning

The muscle of the chin.

Interesting information

The expressions the mentalis muscle is involved in causing are doubt and contempt, due its function in elevating, everting and protruding the lower lip as well as wrinkling the skin of the chin.

Origin

Incisive fossa of mandible.

Insertion

Skin of chin (mentolabial sulcus).

Function

Elevates, everts and protrudes lower lip, wrinkles skin of chin.

Nerve supply

Mandibular branch of facial nerve (CN VII).

Blood supply

Inferior labial branch of facial artery, mental branch of the maxillary artery.

Relevant research

None specific to this muscle.

Mentalis exercises

None specific to this muscle.