Orbicularis oculi muscle
Orbicularis Oculi Muscle
The Orbicularis oculi muscle (pronunciation: /ɔːrˌbɪkjʊˈleɪrɪs ˈɒkjuːlaɪ ˈmʌsəl/) is a muscle in the face that closes the eyelids. It is one of the two major components of the lateral palpebral raphe.
Etymology
The term "Orbicularis" comes from the Latin "orbis" meaning circle, and "oculi" is Latin for eye. Thus, the term refers to the circular muscle around the eye.
Structure
The Orbicularis oculi muscle is divided into three parts: the orbital part, the palpebral part, and the lacrimal part. The orbital part is responsible for forced closure of the eyelids, the palpebral part for spontaneous blinking and the lacrimal part for drawing the eyelids and tears medially.
Function
The primary function of the Orbicularis oculi muscle is to enable the closing of the eye, such as during blinking or sleeping. It also helps in spreading the tear film evenly across the eye surface during blinking.
Clinical significance
Damage to the Orbicularis oculi muscle can result in conditions such as lagophthalmos, where the eye cannot fully close, and blepharospasm, a condition characterized by abnormal, involuntary blinking or spasm of the eyelids.
Related terms
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Orbicularis oculi muscle
- Wikipedia's article - Orbicularis oculi muscle
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