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