Name

# Orbicularis Oculi

Pronunciation

(or-bik-yO-ler-is ok-U-lI)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Medial palpebral ligament

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Cross the eyelids and interlace to form the lateral palpebral raphe

Action/Relevance

Closes the eyelids gently such as blinking and sleeping,aids passage and drainage of tears

Innervation

Temporal and zygomatic braches of the facial nerve

Notes

Because of its round shape, it's considered a sphincter muscle. This muscle is sometimes called the Orbicularis Palpebrarum or the Sphincter Oculi.