All of the following muscles are innervated by the facial nerve EXCEPT
**Core Concept**
The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression, among other functions. The muscles of facial expression are a group of striated muscles that are involved in various facial movements, such as smiling, frowning, and eye closure.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is a muscle that is not innervated by the facial nerve. The facial nerve innervates the muscles of facial expression, which include the frontalis, orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, buccinator, zygomaticus major, zygomaticus minor, and platysma muscles. These muscles are responsible for controlling facial expressions and are innervated by the facial nerve through the buccal, zygomatic, and marginal mandibular branches.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This muscle is indeed innervated by the facial nerve, specifically through the buccal branch.
**Option C:** This muscle is also innervated by the facial nerve, specifically through the marginal mandibular branch.
**Option D:** This muscle is innervated by the facial nerve, specifically through the buccal branch.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that the facial nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression, and damage to the facial nerve can result in facial weakness or paralysis, known as Bell's palsy.
**Correct Answer:** D. Masseter