Muscle
Orbicularis oculi
Closes the eyelids
High-yield
Closes the eye (blink); CN VII palsy → inability to close the eye and risk of corneal drying.
Overview
A sphincter muscle encircling the eye that closes the eyelids for blinking and forced closure. A muscle of facial expression (CN VII).
Reference facts
- Origin
- Medial orbital margin, medial palpebral ligament, and lacrimal bone
- Insertion
- Skin around the orbit and the tarsal plates of the eyelids
- Action
- Closes the eyelids (palpebral part = gentle blink; orbital part = forced closure)
- Innervation
- Temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve (CN VII)
- Blood supply
- Facial / ophthalmic (supraorbital) arteries
Frequently asked questions
What does the orbicularis oculi do?
The orbicularis oculi closes the eyelids (palpebral part = gentle blink; orbital part = forced closure).
What nerve innervates the orbicularis oculi?
The orbicularis oculi is innervated by the temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve (CN VII).
Where does the orbicularis oculi attach?
The orbicularis oculi originates from the medial orbital margin, medial palpebral ligament, and lacrimal bone and inserts on the skin around the orbit and the tarsal plates of the eyelids.
What is the blood supply of the orbicularis oculi?
The orbicularis oculi is supplied by the facial / ophthalmic (supraorbital) arteries.