It is sometimes referred to as the "pouting muscle" (as in duck face) due to it raising the lower lip and causing chin wrinkles.

[2][3] The mentalis muscle causes a weak upward-inward movement of the soft tissue complex of the chin.

Externally, contraction of the mentalis muscle causes wrinkling and dimpling of the skin on the chin, as used in expressions of doubt or displeasure.

[6] It involves repetitive contraction of the muscle, with episodes lasting between seconds and hours.

[6] The mentalis muscle may be partially paralysed using botulinum toxin to reduce wrinkling of the skin of the chin.