Asymmetric crying face

What it means

Asymmetry observed in the face of a neonate or infant whose face appears symmetric at rest and asymmetric during crying as the mouth is pulled downward on one side while not moving on the other side.

Asymmetric crying facies is caused by underdevelopment of the depressor anguli oris muscle or compression of one of the branches of the facial nerve.

Rare diseases that can present with this4

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Hypoplasia of depressor angula oris muscle · Partial unilateral facial paresis