N3 Anatomy and Physiology AY 2023-2024

1. This is patient AM, 28-year-old male who came in the ER because of drooping of his left face. He said he woke up and he could not move his left face. He has no other muscle weakness. He is conscious and coherent although he had a little difficulty speaking because the left side of his lips drooped. He had normal blood pressure and he had no other co- morbidities. He was diagnosed to have Bell’s palsy. Name 5 muscles which are affected and list its actions.

   1. Occipitofrontalis

      1. Action: This muscle allows the movement of eyebrows. It commonly causes a wrinkle effect around the forehead when in motion.

   2. Orbicularis oculi

      1. Action: This muscle controls the movement of eyelids. Used when squinting, blinking, or sleeping since these actions utilize the eyelids which are connected to the said muscle.

   3. Orbicularis oris

      1. Action: This muscle controls the majority of mouth movements as it encircles the mouth. Commonly used in protruding the lips and vital for speech.

   4. Buccinator

      1. Action: This muscle serves as the wall between the cheeks and teeth. It gives way to our food to enter between the molars and avoids instances wherein we accidentally bite our cheeks.

   5. Platysma

      1. Action: This muscle allows the downward movement of the lips towards the lips, usually at an angle.

Source:

Tortora, G. J. (2018, May 15). Principles of anatomy and physiology. Google Books.