Preamble

The human face is the most complex, highly developed, and effective means of communication that has ever existed. Its functions have been perfected by millions of years of evolution. When we feel joy or sadness, when we are afraid or surprised, our facial muscles contract and relax with absolute precision and in perfect harmony. Each muscle conveys our emotional message to the world around us. Just one smile can tell us more than a thousand words.

There are 43 muscles on human's head, these muscles help us enjoy a good meal and express our pleasure about it without saying a word. Mimic muscles are mainly located on the extensive surface of the facial part and forehead. They are thin flat paired muscle formations, consisting of short muscle bundles, one part of which is attached to the skin of the face, the other skull bones. They perform the function of moving the skin of the face during emotional expression. This, as a rule, involves several muscles at once, including chewing. The muscles on the cranial vault are thin, flat, small muscle formations that cover the outer surface of the vertex, back of the head and forehead.

1

Mimic muscles are attached to the bones and skin and pull it up, forming folds. Due to aging process muscles become shorter. It gives the impression of too much skin on the face. Skin shrinks in folds, wrinkles and creases.

Muscles and skin

2

Study carefully all the diagrams below. Try to understand what kind of volumes form the muscles on the face.

(Schemes for detailed study)

Schemes

1) Apply all the main muscles of the face to the skull you´ve drawn earlier.

2) On your face in front of a mirror, follow the contraction of muscles and the formation of folds with various facial expressions.