Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

A function of the orbicularis oculi muscle is to?

1. Open the eye

2. Close the eye

3. Raise the eyebrows

4. Frown

The correct answer is: Close the eye

The orbicularis oculi muscle is primarily responsible for closing the eye. This muscle encircles the eye socket and allows for the blinking and squeezing of the eyelids, which protects the eye from debris and regulates moisture. Its primary function is crucial for keeping the eyes lubricated and shielded from foreign objects, making it an essential component of overall eye health and expression. In contrast to the other choices, which involve different muscle groups or functions—such as raising the eyebrows (which is associated with the frontalis muscle) or frowning (which typically involves the corrugator supercilii and mentalis muscles)—the orbicularis oculi's role is specifically tied to the action of closing the eyelids effectively. Understanding the specific actions of each facial muscle helps clarify their different contributions to facial expressions and functions.