College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which muscle does NOT attach to the modiolus?

1. Zygomaticus major

2. Frontalis

3. Buccinator

4. Risorius

The correct answer is: Frontalis

The frontalis muscle does not attach to the modiolus, which is the point at the corner of the mouth where several facial muscles come together. The modiolus serves as a key structural unit for various facial expressions and is primarily associated with muscles that control the movement of the lips. Zygomaticus major, buccinator, and risorius all originate or insert at the modiolus, contributing to facial expressions such as smiling or grimacing. The frontalis, on the other hand, is a muscle that is part of the occipitofrontalis muscle group, primarily responsible for raising the eyebrows and wrinkling the forehead; it operates in a different area of the face, specifically the forehead, and thus does not engage with the modiolus. The importance of understanding muscle attachments is crucial in fields like massage therapy and anatomy, as it aids in comprehending how facial movements work and can influence soft tissue work in those areas.