Final answer:
The muscle responsible for facial expression is the orbicularis oculi, which closes the eye. Other important muscles in facial expressions include the orbicularis oris and the occipitofrontalis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The muscle responsible for facial expression is known as the orbicularis oculi. This circular muscle closes the eye. Other muscles including the orbicularis oris, which moves the lips, and the occipitofrontalis muscle responsible for raising the scalp and eyebrows, play a role in facial expressions as well. The occipitofrontalis has both a frontal and an occipital belly, connected by the epicranial aponeurosis but not extending over the top of the skull. Muscles of facial expression typically insert into the skin rather than bones, which allows them to move the skin to produce various expressions.