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orbicularis

orbicularis

9.9
Having a round shape that forms a ring, like muscles around the eye or mouth
  • adjective
  • /ˌɔːrbɪˈkjʊlərɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : orbicular
  • The orbicularis muscle around the mouth helps you to pucker your lips.

Examples

  • The orbicularis muscle is essential for blinking.

  • The orbicularis fibers form a complete ring around the eye socket.

  • Doctors examined the patient's orbicularis structure to assess facial movement.

  • An injury to the orbicularis can affect facial expressions.

  • The orbicularis muscle allows us to close our eyes tightly when we blink.

  • Surgeons carefully worked on the orbicularis around the lips to restore symmetry after the injury.

  • She studied the orbicularis structure of the eye during her anatomy class.

Synonyms

ring-shaped
vsorbicularis
1 3.4

Shaped like a circle

covers both solid circular structures and looped forms with a hole
orbiculate
vsorbicularis
9.9

Round or nearly round in shape

also describes structures that may be looped rather than only solid disks
orbicular
vsorbicularis
9.2

A shape that is round like a disk

can mean either solid circles or forms with a central hole

Antonyms

442 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

24 4.4

Having the shape of a straight line or measured in one direction

How Anatomical

orbicularis
  • Specialized
9.9
anatomical sphincter
  • Specialized
5.8
physiological sphincter
  • Specialized
8.3

Surface Forms

orbicularis positive

Etymology

Orbicularis comes from the Latin root orbis 'circle' and the little form orbiculus 'little circle', and it is related to everyday words like orb and orbit. So orbicularis as an adjective means 'round' or 'ring-shaped', which is why it describes muscles or structures that make a circular band around the eye or mouth.