ORBICULAR MUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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The orbicular muscle, also known as the orbicularis, refers to a type of facial muscle found in humans and many other animals. It is a circular-shaped, sphincter-like muscle that encircles certain body openings or structures. The term "orbicular" is derived from the Latin word "orbis," meaning "circle" or "orb."
In humans, the orbicular muscle consists of several distinct muscles in various regions of the face, including the mouth, eyes, and eyelids. It is responsible for controlling the closing and opening movements of these structures. For instance, the orbicularis oris is the muscle encircling the mouth that controls lip closing and puckering, while the orbicularis oculi is the muscle surrounding the eyes and eyelids that controls blinking and expressions like squinting.
The orbicular muscle plays a crucial role in facial expressions and facial movements related to communication, emotion, and other psychological or social interactions. It allows individuals to express emotions such as happiness, surprise, or sadness, and contributes to the conveyance of nonverbal cues. Furthermore, this muscle helps protect the delicate structures of the eyes, preventing foreign objects from entering and maintaining adequate moisture by regulating blinking.
Overall, the orbicular muscle is a fundamental component of the facial musculature, contributing to both functional and expressive aspects of human physiology.
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A muscle whose fibers are circularly arranged around a canal or any of the orifices of the body; see under musculus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ORBICULAR MUSCLE
Etymology of ORBICULAR MUSCLE
The word "orbicular" comes from the Latin word "orbiculus", which means "small circle" or "little disc". It is derived from the Latin word "orbis", meaning "circle" or "orb". The term "muscle" comes from the Latin word "musculus", which means "a small mouse" or "little mouse", as the Ancient Romans perceived a similarity between the movements of muscles and the way mice move. Therefore, the etymology of "orbicular muscle" essentially refers to a muscle that has a circular or orb-like shape.
