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How many muscles are being used when you laugh?

Question #70721. Asked by super babe.
Last updated Aug 28 2016.

silly_boy
Answer has 7 votes
Currently Best Answer
silly_boy

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
40

Sep 14 2006, 5:30 AM
super babe
Answer has 4 votes
super babe

Answer has 4 votes.
which ones are they ..is there a link

Sep 14 2006, 5:58 AM
skysmom65
Answer has 4 votes
skysmom65
19 year member
1504 replies

Answer has 4 votes.
Diverse facial, jaw, and throat muscles are involved in the laugh, including levator labii superioris, risorius, mentalis, depressor anguli oris (the "frown" muscle), orbicularis oris, buccinator, and depressor labii inferioris (Ruch 1993). 2. Laughter may be accompanied by a general lowering of muscle tonus and an increase in bodily relaxation, leading one, e.g., to "collapse in laughter" (see Ruch 1993). 3. In laughing, the abdominal muscles and diaphragm contract in a respiratory "fit," not unlike sneezing or crying. Zygomatic and risorious muscles of the face contract in a grimacing smile; mandibular muscles may rhythmically contract as the lower jaw quivers. In a belly laugh, heartbeat accelerates, blood pressure rises, and vocal cords may uncontrollably vibrate.

link http://center-for-nonverbal-studies.org/htdocs/laugh.htm

Response last updated by postcards2go on Aug 28 2016.
Sep 14 2006, 6:52 AM
arctic_wolves
Answer has 5 votes
arctic_wolves

Answer has 5 votes.
It is likely that many (listed) facial muscles play at least some part in the expressions of laughing or smiling, particularly when the expression is exaggerated. The following site lists these facial muscles and their respective functions. The list does not include other laugh muscles within the body.

link https://www.reference.com/science/many-muscles-face-f051b96464665bb4

link http://faculty.sdmiramar.edu/faculty/sdccd/kpetti/bio160/MiscImages/Muscles.pdf

Response last updated by postcards2go on Aug 28 2016.
Sep 14 2006, 12:42 PM
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