In facial anatomy, the modiolus is a chiasma of facial muscles held together by fibrous tissue, located lateral and slightly superior to each angle of the mouth. It is important in moving the mouth,

facial expression A facial expression is one or more motions or positions of the muscles beneath the skin of the face. According to one set of controversial theories, these movements convey the emotional state of an individual to observers. Facial expressions are ...

and in dentistry. It is extremely important in relation to stability of lower denture, because of the strength and variability of movement of the area. It derives its motor nerve supply from the

facial nerve The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste ...

, and its blood supply from labial branches of the facial artery. It is contributed to by the following muscles:

orbicularis oris In human anatomy, the orbicularis oris muscle is a complex of muscles in the lips that encircles the mouth. It is a sphincter, or circular muscle, but it is actually composed of four independent quadrants that interlace and give only an appearance ...

buccinator The buccinator () is a thin quadrilateral muscle occupying the interval between the maxilla and the mandible at the side of the face. It forms the anterior part of the cheek or the lateral wall of the oral cavity.Illustrated Anatomy of the Head ...

levator anguli oris The levator anguli oris (caninus) is a facial muscle of the mouth arising from the canine fossa, immediately below the infraorbital foramen. It elevates angle of mouth medially. Its fibers are inserted into the angle of the mouth, intermingli ...

depressor anguli oris The depressor anguli oris muscle (triangularis muscle) is a facial muscle. It originates from the mandible and inserts into the angle of the mouth. It is associated with frowning, as it depresses the corner of the mouth. Structure The depres ...

zygomaticus major The zygomaticus major muscle is a muscle of the human body. It extends from each zygomatic arch (cheekbone) to the corners of the mouth. It is a muscle of facial expression which draws the angle of the mouth superiorly and posteriorly to allow one ...

risorius The risorius muscle is a muscle of facial expression. It arises from the fascia over the parotid gland, and inserts into the angle of the mouth. It is supplied by the facial nerve (CN VII). It may be absent or asymmetrical in some people. It retr ...

, quadratus labii superioris, quadratus labii inferioris.Drake, Vogl, Mitchell. Gray's Anatomy For Students 2nd edition (2010). Elsevier.

References

2.Al-Hoqail RA, Abdel Meguid EM. An anatomical and analytical study of the modiolus: enlightening its relevance to plastic surgery. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2009;33(2):147–152. doi:10.1007/s00266-008-9187-x 3.Pélissier P, Pistre V, Bustamante K, Martin D, Baudet J. Le modiolus. Anatomie comparée, rappels embryologique et physiologique, intérêt chirurgical he modiolus. Comparative anatomy, embryological and physiological review, surgical importance Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2000;45(1):41–47. 4.Yu SK, Lee MH, Kim HS, Park JT, Kim HJ, Kim HJ. Histomorphologic approach for the modiolus with reference to reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. J Craniofac Surg. 2013;24(4):1414–1417. doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e318292c939 {{DEFAULTSORT:Modiolus (Face) Muscular system fr:Modiolus (genre)