Buccinator muscle
Buccinator muscle Pick your favorite study tool Videos Buccinator muscle (Musculus buccinator) The buccinator muscle is a thin quadrilateral facial muscle that is the main component of the cheek. It belongs to the buccolabial group of facial muscles along with levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator labii superioris, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, levator anguli oris, risorius, depressor labii inferioris, mentalis, orbicularis oris, incisivus superior and inferior muscles. Buccinator has a number of origin points which is the basis for subdividing the muscle fibers into superior, inferior and posterior parts. This muscle is the main muscle of the cheek, that provides it with structure and tightness. It compresses the cheek against the molar teeth, which is important to keep the food bolus central in the oral cavity, and to prevent the cheeks from being bitten during mastication. In addition, the buccinator is the main muscle involved in playing wind instruments, as it expels air from the distended cheeks.