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Cortical control of facial expression.
René M Müri1,2,3
1Division of Cognitive and Restorative Neurology, Departments of Neurology and Clinical Research, University Hospital Inselspital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|September 30, 2015
Summary
Human facial expressions, vital for communication, are controlled by distinct brain regions. Voluntary control involves motor cortex areas, while emotional expressions are linked to cingulate cortex and limbic system input.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Communication
Background:
- Facial expressions are fundamental to human nonverbal communication and information transfer.
- Both voluntary and emotional facial expressions play crucial roles in social interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neural mechanisms underlying the motor control of human facial expressions.
- To differentiate the brain regions involved in voluntary versus emotional facial movements.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies in humans and nonhuman primates.
- Analysis of neuroimaging and lesion studies investigating facial motor control.
Main Results:
- Motor control of facial expressions involves a distributed network of at least five cortical regions.
- Upper face innervation is bilateral; lower face innervation is predominantly contralateral.
- Primary motor cortex, ventral lateral premotor cortex, and supplementary motor area are key for voluntary control.
- Cingulate cortical areas are crucial for emotional expressions, receiving input from the limbic system.
Conclusions:
- The motor control of facial expressions is a complex process involving distinct neural pathways for voluntary and emotional actions.
- Understanding these pathways is essential for comprehending human communication and social behavior.
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