Lateral Rectus (Left) (Musculus rectus lateralis)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The lateral rectus is an extraocular muscle extending along the lateral orbital wall. Arising from both limbs of the common tendinous ring spanning the superior orbital fissure, it travels anteriorly to insert into the lateral sclera. It is the sole pure abductor of the eye and is specifically innervated by the abducens nerve.
Origin & insertion
From the lateral part of the common tendinous ring bridging the superior orbital fissure to the anterolateral aspect of the sclera, approximately 6.9 mm posterior to the corneal limbus.
Action
Abducts the eyeball, turning the pupil laterally away from the midline.
Innervation
Abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI).
Clinical notes
Abducens nerve palsy (CN VI palsy) causes inability to abduct the affected eye, resulting in esotropia and uncrossed horizontal diplopia that worsens upon looking toward the affected side.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Lateral Rectus (Left)?
The lateral rectus is an extraocular muscle extending along the lateral orbital wall. Arising from both limbs of the common tendinous ring spanning the superior orbital fissure, it travels anteriorly to insert into the lateral sclera. It is the sole pure abductor of the eye and is specifically innervated by the abducens nerve.
Why is the Lateral Rectus (Left) clinically important?
Abducens nerve palsy (CN VI palsy) causes inability to abduct the affected eye, resulting in esotropia and uncrossed horizontal diplopia that worsens upon looking toward the affected side.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details