The orbicularis oris muscle is known as the kissing muscle. This muscle surrounds the mouth, forming the lips. Its primary function is to enable lip movements, including pursing the lips for kissing.
Understanding the Orbicularis Oris
- Location: The orbicularis oris is a complex muscle located in the lips, encircling the mouth.
- Function: It's responsible for a wide range of lip movements, including pursing, closing, and protruding the lips. The ability to kiss is just one of its many functions.
- Innervation: The muscle is innervated by the buccal branch of cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve).
- Blood Supply: It receives blood from both the superior and inferior labial arteries.
- Attachments: The orbicularis oris inserts into the skin around the lips.
Multiple sources confirm this, including Wikipedia's entry on the Orbicularis Oris muscle which explicitly states: "It is sometimes known as the kissing muscle because it is used to pucker the lips." Orbicularis oris muscle - Wikipedia Other sources such as Study.com, ScienceDirect, and various news articles reinforce this common name and function.
