The primary muscle in the cheek is called the buccinator.
The buccinator is a thin, flat muscle located in the wall of the cheek. It's a key facial muscle with several important functions:
- Compressing the Cheeks: The buccinator helps to flatten the cheeks, which is essential for actions like whistling, blowing, and sucking.
- Aiding in Chewing: This muscle works with the tongue to keep food positioned between the teeth during chewing. It prevents food from accumulating in the space between the teeth and cheeks.
- Facial Expression: While not a primary muscle for major expressions, the buccinator contributes to subtle changes in facial appearance.
Although the buccinator is the cheek muscle, other muscles in the face can indirectly affect the cheek area. These include muscles involved in jaw movement and facial expression, such as the masseter, zygomaticus major and minor, and risorius.
Here's a brief overview of related facial muscles:
| Muscle | Function | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Buccinator | Compresses cheek, aids chewing, blowing, whistling | Wall of the cheek |
| Masseter | Elevates mandible (closes jaw) | From cheek to jaw |
| Zygomaticus Major | Draws angle of mouth superiorly and laterally (smiling) | From zygomatic bone to corner of mouth |
| Zygomaticus Minor | Elevates upper lip, exposing maxillary teeth | From zygomatic bone to upper lip |
| Risorius | Draws corner of mouth laterally (grimace) | From fascia over masseter to corner of mouth |
Therefore, while several muscles contribute to the function and appearance of the cheek region, the buccinator is the muscle directly located within the cheek itself.
