Risorius

The risorius is a facial muscle that helps produce a smile by pulling the corners of the mouth outward. It is located near the sides of your face, extending from the cheekbone to the corners of your mouth. While not as prominent as other muscles involved in smiling, the risorius aids in creating a widening of the mouth, contributing to facial expressions associated with happiness or laughter. It works in coordination with other facial muscles to produce various expressions and play a role in non-verbal communication.