The zygomaticus major muscle is a muscle that controls facial expression, drawing the mouth’s angle upward and outward.
The zygomaticus major muscle starts at the cheekbone and extends to the corner of the mouth. This muscle causes the corners of a person’s mouth to rise when they smile. Variations of the zygomaticus major muscle cause dimples to form.
The zygomaticus major muscle is also known as musculus zygomaticus major and the greater zygomatic muscle, as well as musculus zygomaticus.
The zygomaticus major muscle receives nerves from cranial nerve VII. Conditions that may affect the zygomaticus major muscle include myalgia strains, neuromuscular diseases, lacerations, contusions, Bell’s palsy, infectious myositis, and myopathy.