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
Action	abducts the eyeball (makes it move outwards)
Dorlands /Elsevier	m_22/12550497

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.

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

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