Which muscle compresses the cheek to release air, as in blowing?

The buccinator muscle is responsible for compressing the cheek to aid in actions such as blowing. This muscle is situated in the wall of the cheek and plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of the face during activities like chewing, blowing, and whistling. When the buccinator contracts, it tightens the cheeks against the teeth, helping to control airflow and direct it outward, which is essential during blowing actions.

The other muscles mentioned have different primary functions. The temporalis muscle is primarily involved in elevating the jaw to assist in chewing, while the masseter also contributes to jaw movement but focuses on closing the mouth. The caninus muscle is involved in expressions related to pulling the corners of the mouth upward, which has no direct function related to air compression in the cheek. Thus, the buccinator is the correct answer as it specifically facilitates the release of air when blowing.