Which muscle is targeted with Botox injections to treat marionette lines?

Botox injections are commonly used to address marionette lines, which are the lines that run from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin. The muscle that is primarily targeted in this context is the zygomatic major and minor muscles. These muscles are associated with the movement of the corners of the mouth and play a significant role in facial expressions, particularly smiling.

When Botox is injected into the zygomatic major and minor, it can help relax these muscles, thereby softening the appearance of the marionette lines. By reducing the activity of these muscles, the injections can help achieve a smoother, more youthful look by minimizing the pulling effect that contributes to the formation of these lines.

The other muscles listed either don't play a direct role in the formation of marionette lines or are involved in different facial expressions. For instance, the orbicularis oris is primarily responsible for movements of the lips, the frontalis controls the forehead and eyebrow movements, and the platysma is associated with the neck and lower face, none of which specifically target the marionette lines in the same way that the zygomatic muscles do.