Compresses cheeks for blowing and sucking?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

The main function being tested is the ability of a cheek muscle to compress the cheek against the teeth to control airflow for blowing and sucking. The buccinator is a cheek muscle that tightly compresses the cheek inward toward the teeth, creating a seal and directing air when you blow or suck (as well as helping with whistling and keeping food between teeth during chewing). The other muscles have different primary roles: the risorius pulls the corners of the mouth outward (a smiling action), while the masseter and temporalis are involved in elevating and moving the jaw for chewing. So, the muscle that best fits the action of compressing the cheeks for blowing and sucking is the buccinator.