Which muscle draws mouth corners downward in fear?

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 mouth corners downward in fear?

The platysma is the broad, superficial neck muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward and the lower lip, helping create the grimace commonly seen with fear. It also tightens the skin of the neck, which adds to that tense, fearful look. The other muscles move different parts: triangularis (depressor anguli oris) mainly helps depress the mouth corners toward a frown, depressor labii inferioris lowers the lower lip, and orbicularis oris closes the lips around the mouth rather than pulling the corners down.

The platysma is the broad, superficial neck muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth downward and the lower lip, helping create the grimace commonly seen with fear. It also tightens the skin of the neck, which adds to that tense, fearful look. The other muscles move different parts: triangularis (depressor anguli oris) mainly helps depress the mouth corners toward a frown, depressor labii inferioris lowers the lower lip, and orbicularis oris closes the lips around the mouth rather than pulling the corners down.

More practice questions