As plastic surgeons, we are all familiar with the muscles of facial expression, their anatomy, and their function. Very few of us are truly aware of the precise position and interaction of the facial muscles as they influence the position of the eyelids, eyebrows, and mouth, conveying expressions of emotion.

    Gary Faigin, a recognized painter, printmaker, and art teacher, has combined his own extensive research on cadavers, photographs, and works of art with information from anatomists, psychologists, and anthropologists to produce a book that is a first of its kind.

    With the aid of 400 black-and-white illustrations and photographs, the individual components of the six fundamental facial expressions—anger, joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and surprise—are clearly depicted and explained. From these six basic expressions, all other facial expressions are derived.

    The early chapters are devoted to normal facial proportions, anatomy, and function of the facial muscles. Important references are given for the normal resting positions of the eyelids and lips and the limits of their normal range of motion. Succeeding chapters describe in detail the six basic expressions of the face, explaining which facial muscles are used for each expression and the positions assumed by the eyelids, eyebrows, and mouth. The key elements of 47 common expressions are included.
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