Lateral rectus muscle

A muscle with origin from the lateral part of tendinous ring bridging the superior orbital fissure, with insertion into the sclera of the eye, with nerve supply from the abducens nerve, and whose action directs the pupil laterally.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: the ocular muscle whose contraction turns the eyeball outward
  Synonyms: abducens muscle, lateral rectus, rectus lateralis

Lateral rectus
Rectus muscles: 2 = superior, 3 = inferior, 4 = medial, 5 = lateral Oblique muscles: 6 = superior, 8 = inferior Other muscle: 9 = levator palpebrae superioris Other structures: 1 = Annulus of Zinn, 7 = Trochlea, 10 = Superior tarsus, 11 = Sclera, 12 = Optic nerve
Figure showing the mode of innervation of the Recti medialis and lateralis of the eye.
Latin	musculus rectus lateralis bulbi
Gray's	subject #227 1022
Origin	annulus of Zinn at the orbital apex
Insertion	7 mm temporal to the limbus
Artery
Nerve	abducens nerve
Actions	abducts the eyeball (makes it move outwards)

For the muscle of the neck, see Rectus capitis lateralis muscle

The lateral rectus muscle is a muscle in the orbit. It is one of six extraocular muscles that control the movements of the eye (abduction in this case) and the only muscle innervated by the abducens nerve, cranial nerve VI.

Its fuction is to bring the pupil away to the midline of the body. It is tested clinically by asking the patient to look laterally.

Additional images

Eye movement of lateral rectus muscle, superior view	Eye movement of medial rectus muscle, superior view	Eye movement of inferior rectus muscle, superior view	Eye movement of superior rectus muscle, superior view
Eye movement of superior oblique muscle, superior view	Eye movement of inferior oblique muscle, superior view	Anterior view

credit: Patrick J. Lynch

Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above.

Horizontal section of the eyeball.

Dissection showing origins of right ocular muscles, and nerves entering by the superior orbital fissure.

Vestibulo-ocular reflex

External links

• LUC lr
• -66715569 at GPnotebook
• SUNY Figs 29:01-05
• Cranial Nerves at Yale 6-1
• lateral+rectus+muscle at eMedicine Dictionary

v • d • e List of muscles of head and neck: the head (TA A04.1, GA 4.378) Extraocular (CN III, IV, VI) oblique (inferior, superior) · rectus (superior, inferior, medial, lateral) · levator palpebrae superioris (superior tarsal) Mastication (CN V3) masseter · temporalis (sphenomandibularis) · pterygoid (lateral, medial) fascia: Masseteric fascia · Temporal fascia Facial (CN VII) Ear auricular (anterior, superior, posterior) · temporoparietalis Scalp/eyelid occipitofrontalis (occipitalis, frontalis) · orbicularis oculi (depressor supercilii) · corrugator supercilii fascia: Galea aponeurotica Nose procerus · nasalis (dilatator naris) · depressor septi nasi  · levator labii superioris alaeque nasi Mouth levator anguli oris · levator labii superioris · zygomaticus (major, minor) orbicularis oris · risorius · buccinator depressor anguli oris · depressor labii inferioris · mentalis Mouth/throat (CN IX, X, XI) (except TVP=V3) Soft palate veli palatini (tensor, levator) · musculus uvulae · palatopharyngeus (to pharynx) · palatoglossus (to tongue) Tongue (CN XII) extrinsic (genioglossus, hyoglossus/chondroglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus) · intrinsic (superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, transverse, vertical)

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