The palpebral part of orbicularis oculi produces the gentle, involuntary blink. Unlike the orbital part (forceful closure), the palpebral part operates during normal blinking at 12-15 times per minute, spreading the tear film and draining tears via the lacrimal pump mechanism.
| Origin | Medial palpebral ligament, both upper and lower eyelid portions |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Lateral palpebral raphe |
| Nerve Supply | Facial nerve, temporal and zygomatic branches (VII) |
| Blood Supply | Medial palpebral arteries (from the ophthalmic artery); Lateral palpebral arteries (from the lacrimal artery) |
| Actions |
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It closes the eyelids gently during blinking and sleep, spreading the tear film across the eye.
The palpebral part is the efferent limb of the corneal (blink) reflex, whose afferent limb is the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, so loss of blinking to corneal touch can reflect a lesion of either nerve. In facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy or surgical injury) its paralysis causes incomplete lid closure (lagophthalmos) and loss of the lacrimal pump, with watering yet a dry, exposed cornea at risk of keratopathy and ulceration; protection includes lubricants, taping or moisture chambers, upper lid gold or platinum weight implants and tarsorrhaphy. In blepharoplasty the pretarsal fibres are preserved to maintain blink mechanics. Blepharospasm, involuntary spasm of orbicularis oculi, is treated by botulinum toxin injection into the pretarsal and preseptal fibres.
Assessed by blink rate and completeness of blink closure, incomplete blink leaves a corneal exposure zone inferiorly.
Paralysis of the palpebral orbicularis prevents full lid closure and blinking, exposing the cornea to drying, erosion and ulceration; it is managed with lubrication, lid taping, upper lid weight implants or tarsorrhaphy.
Partial weakness of the palpebral part leaves the lower cornea exposed on blinking, causing inferior punctate epitheliopathy and dry eye symptoms treated with lubricants.
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