Before delving into the specific muscles affected by the patient AM’s apparent Bell’s palsy, I think it will work best if we first define what this muscle disorder is. In a nutshell, Bell’s palsy is a condition which affects the muscles responsible for facial expression. It causes temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the face and is supplemented by other symptoms like drooping face, headache, loss of taste, increased sound sensitivity, dry eyes, and dry mouth. If not given urgent medical attention or treatment, it may result in severe, permanent paralysis.
Now for the muscles affected, here are 5 muscles affected by the Bell’s palsy and their respective actions:
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Occipitofrontalis/frontal belly muscle
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Action: draws the scalp interiorly, responsible for raising the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead’s skin to resemble the expression of being surprised.
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Orbicularis oculi
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Action: responsible for closing the eyes.
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Levator anguli oris
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Action: gives the mouth its angle laterally and superiorly.
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Buccinator muscle
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Action: presses the cheeks into the lips and teeth as in whistling or blowing and assists the mouth in mastication or chewing by maintaining food between the teeth
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Orbicularis oris
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Action: closes and protrudes the lips as in kissing, compresses the lips against the teeth, and shapes the lips during speech processes.
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