Mentalis muscle
Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 17 Apr 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Bell D, Jones J, Mentalis muscle. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-93316
Permalink:
rID:
93316
Article created:
18 Sep 2021,
Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Last revised:
17 Apr 2022,
Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures
Revisions:
3 times, by
2 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Mentalis muscles
- Musculus mentalis
- Levator menti
The mentalis muscles (TA: musculus mentalis) are paired muscles, one on each side of the mouth, important as elevators of the chin and lower lip; the muscles are one of the facial muscles.
On this page:
Summary
- origin: incisive fossa of the mandible
- insertion: skin of the chin
- innervation: facial nerve
- action: raises skin of chin and elevates lower lip
Gross anatomy
Origin
The mentalis muscle is a slight cone-shaped muscle which originates from the incisive fossa of the mandible. These superior fibres of mentalis are intertwined with inferior fibres of the orbicularis oris muscle. The more lateral superior fibres of the mentalis are also mixed in with fibres of the incisivus labii inferioris muscle 5.
The incisive fossa is a small depression in the body of the mandible lying just below the lateral and central incisor teeth on each side. The fibres then pass anteroinferiorly, deep to the oral mucosa of the vestibule of the mouth, on either side of the midline labial frenulum 1-3,5.
Insertion
The mentalis muscle fibres insert into the skin of the chin 1-3,5. These fibres are best further considered as medial and lateral groups 5:
- medial fibres from each side pass forwards and cross their counterpart fibres from the other side before inserting into the contralateral aspect of the skin of the chin
- lateral fibres run downwards with a medial orientation in most (in a small percentage of individuals they bend laterally), intertwining with fibres of the depressor labii inferioris muscle before inserting into skin of the chin ipsilaterally
Arterial supply
Venous drainage
Innervation
- marginal mandibular nerve, branch of facial nerve (VII)
Action
- raises skin of the mental region (chin) effecting wrinkling +/- dimpling, and may be important for the expression of doubt
- elevation and protrusion of the lower lip
- superior mentalis muscle fibres, merge with the orbicularis oris muscle, forming a contiguous muscular structure, and acts to strengthen orbicularis oris as it moves the lower lip 5
Radiographic features
The mentalis muscle may be seen on high resolution ultrasound of the chin as a consistently identifiable hypoechoic structure in the mental region 4.
History and etymology
Mentalis is from the word 'mentum' which is Latin for chin 6.
References
- 1. Last, R. J. (Raymond Jack). Last's Anatomy: Regional and Applied. (2011) ISBN: 9780702033940
- 2. Gray, H. Anatomy of the Human Body. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/
- 3. Hur M, Kim H, Choi B, Hu K, Kim H, Lee K. Morphology of the Mentalis Muscle and Its Relationship With the Orbicularis Oris and Incisivus Labii Inferioris Muscles. J Craniofac Surg. 2013;24(2):602-4. doi:10.1097/scs.0b013e318267bcc5
- 4. Alfen N, Gilhuis H, Keijzers J, Pillen S, Van Dijk J. Quantitative Facial Muscle Ultrasound: Feasibility and Reproducibility. Muscle Nerve. 2013;48(3):375-80. doi:10.1002/mus.23769
- 5. Iwanaga J, Watanabe K, Kusukawa J, Oskouian R, Tubbs R. Intraoral Dissection of the Mimetic Muscles: Application to Dentistry and Oral Surgery. Cureus. 2017;9(12). doi:10.7759/cureus.1939
- 6. John C. Traupman. The Bantam New College Latin & English Dictionary. (2007) ISBN: 9780553590128
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