Lateral rectus muscle Information & Lateral rectus muscle Links at HealthHaven.com

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 from the midline of the body. It is tested clinically by asking the patient to look laterally.

[edit] 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