Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The orbicularis oculi is a circular muscle that surrounds the eye socket, responsible for enabling the eyelid to close and open. It plays a critical role in facial expressions such as blinking and squinting.
Related terms
Blink Reflex: An automatic, rapid closing and opening of the eyelid that protects the eye from foreign bodies and bright lights.
Facial Muscles: A group of skeletal muscles under voluntary control that are used for expressing emotions through facial expressions.
Levator Palpebrae Superioris: The muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid, aiding in keeping the eye open