Muscles of the Orbit of the Eye

superior rectus

superior rectus origin

Common tendinous ring (attached to orbit around optic foramen).

superior rectus insertion

Superior and central part of eyeballs.

superior rectus action

Moves eyeballs superiorly (elevation) and medially (adduction), and rotates them medially

superior rectus innervation

Oculomotor (III) nerve.

inferior rectus

inferior rectus origin

Common tendinous ring (attached to orbit around optic foramen).

inferior rectus insertion

Inferior and central part of eyeballs.

inferior rectus action

Moves eyeballs inferiorly (depression) and medially (adduction), and rotates them laterally.

inferior rectus innervation

Oculomotor (III) nerve.

medial rectus

medial rectus origin

Common tendinous ring (attached to orbit around optic foramen).

medial rectus insertion

Medial side of eyeballs.

medial rectus action

Moves eyeballs medially (adduction).

medial rectus innervation

Oculomotor (III) nerve.

lateral rectus

lateral rectus origin

Common tendinous ring (attached to orbit around optic foramen).

lateral rectus insertion

Lateral side of eyeballs.

lateral rectus action

Moves eyeballs laterally (abduction).

lateral rectus innervation

Abducens (VI) nerve.

superior oblique

superior oblique origin

Sphenoid bone, superior and medial to common tendinous ring in orbit.

superior oblique insertion

Eyeball between superior and lateral recti. Muscle inserts into superior and lateral surfaces of eyeball via tendon that passes through trochlea

superior oblique action

Moves eyeballs inferiorly (depression) and laterally (abduction), and rotates them medially.

superior oblique innervation

Trochlear (IV) nerve.

inferior oblique

inferior oblique origin

Maxilla in floor of orbit.

inferior oblique insertion

Eyeballs between inferior and lateral recti.

inferior oblique action

Moves eyeballs superiorly (elevation) and laterally (abduction), and rotates them laterally

inferior oblique innervation

Oculomotor (III) nerve.