Which muscle draws down the corners of the mouth in sadness?

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!

Multiple Choice

Which muscle draws down the corners of the mouth in sadness?

When expressing sadness, the corners of the mouth are pulled downward by the muscle located at the angle of the mouth, known as the triangularis (depressor anguli oris). It runs from the mandible to the corner of the mouth, and its contraction directly depresses that corner, creating a frown. The other muscles have different roles: the zygomaticus muscles lift the corners of the mouth for a smile; the orbicularis oris encircles and closes or protrudes the lips; the platysma can help lower the jaw and tense the neck, but it’s the triangularis that specifically pulls the mouth corner downward to create sadness.

When expressing sadness, the corners of the mouth are pulled downward by the muscle located at the angle of the mouth, known as the triangularis (depressor anguli oris). It runs from the mandible to the corner of the mouth, and its contraction directly depresses that corner, creating a frown.

The other muscles have different roles: the zygomaticus muscles lift the corners of the mouth for a smile; the orbicularis oris encircles and closes or protrudes the lips; the platysma can help lower the jaw and tense the neck, but it’s the triangularis that specifically pulls the mouth corner downward to create sadness.

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