cheek muscle
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * A facial muscle located in the cheek, specifically the buccinator muscle. Its primary actions are to flatten the cheek (compress it against the teeth) and to retract (pull back) the angle of the mouth. This muscle is essential for actions like whistling, blowing, and chewing.
Usage
The term "cheek muscle" is a common, descriptive name used in general contexts to refer to the buccinator muscle. It is often used in anatomy, physiology, dentistry, and general health discussions. * The dentist explained that the cheek muscle helps keep food positioned on the teeth during chewing. * Playing a wind instrument like the trumpet strengthens your cheek muscles. * A sharp pain in my left cheek muscle occurs when I blow up balloons.
Advanced Usage
- In medical or anatomical texts, the specific Latin name buccinator muscle is preferred for precision.
- The phrase is often used in the plural ("cheek muscles") to refer to the group of muscles in the cheek area, which may include others besides the buccinator, such as those involved in smiling.
Variants and Related Words
- Buccinator (muscle) (n): The precise anatomical term for the primary cheek muscle.
- Zygomaticus major (n): A different facial muscle that draws the angle of the mouth upward and backward (for smiling), often grouped informally under "cheek muscles."
- Masseter (n): A powerful jaw muscle for chewing, located near the cheek but not typically called a "cheek muscle."
Synonyms
- Buccinator (muscle)
- Facial muscle (a broader, less specific term)
Related Phrases
- Cheek puff exercise: An exercise to strengthen the buccinator muscle by puffing out the cheeks with air.
- Speech therapists often recommend cheek puff exercises for certain patients.
Noun
- a muscle that flattens the cheek and retracts the angle of the mouth