The muscle often called the "kissing muscle" is the orbicularis oris.
Understanding the Orbicularis Oris
The orbicularis oris is a complex muscle surrounding the mouth, forming the lips. Its primary function is to control lip movements, including pursing, puckering, and closing the mouth. This ability to pucker the lips is why it's commonly referred to as the "kissing muscle".
Several sources corroborate this:
- Study.com: Describes the orbicularis oris as a muscle that surrounds the mouth, forming the lips, and is often called the kissing muscle because it enables puckering. https://study.com/learn/lesson/kissing-muscle-orbicularis-oris-function-action-innervation.html
- StatPearls: States that the orbicularis oris helps in puckering the lips, leading to its nickname "kissing muscle". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545169/
- Wikipedia: While noting its complexity, confirms the orbicularis oris encircles the mouth and its role in lip movements. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbicularis_oris_muscle
- Homework.Study.com: Clearly identifies the orbicularis oris as the muscle responsible for the action of kissing. https://homework.study.com/explanation/identify-the-name-of-the-muscles-that-are-your-kissing-muscle.html
It's important to note that while the orbicularis oris is primarily responsible for the action of kissing, other facial muscles contribute to the overall expression and movement.
