Head and Neck Anatomy: Part II – Musculature
Zygomaticus Minor

The zygomaticus minor is yet another muscle that inserts into the corner of the mouth. Its origin, is from the zygomatic bone but at that end it also mixes with the orbicularis oculi which surrounds the eye and is immediately adjacent to the levator labii superioris muscle Like the zygomaticus major it pulls the corner of the mouth superiorly in addition to laterally but also changes the shape of the skin around the eyes contributing to the essential components of a natural smile and is what allows one to see that a person is smiling behind their surgical mask.