Extraocular Muscles and Nerves

Extraocular muscles

A group of specialized skeletal muscles located inside the eye socket that control eye movement and upper eyelid elevation.

Common tendinous ring

The shared ring structure at the back of the eye socket from which all four rectus muscles originate.

Levator palpebrae superioris

The muscle located in the eye socket that functions to lift the upper eyelid.

Medial rectus

Moves the eye inward toward the nose (adduction).

Lateral rectus

Moves the eye outward away from the nose (abduction).

Superior rectus

Elevates the eye (looks up) and contributes to inward rotation.

Inferior rectus

Depresses the eye (looks down).

Superior oblique

Rotates the top of the eye inward (intorsion) and assists in looking down.

Inferior oblique

Rotates the top of the eye outward (extorsion) and assists in looking up.

Abducens nerve (CN VI)

Provides motor innervation specifically to the lateral rectus muscle.

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Provides motor innervation specifically to the superior oblique muscle.

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Innervates the superior, inferior, and medial rectus muscles, the inferior oblique muscle, and the levator palpebrae superioris.