Extraocular and Eyelid Muscles

This set of vocabulary flashcards details the anatomical origins, insertions, innervations, and functional actions of the extraocular muscles and the levator palpebrea eyelid muscle.

Superior Rectus

An extraocular muscle originating in the Orbital Cavity and inserting into the Sclera Superiorly; innervated by the Oculomotor Nerve ($CN\,III$), its action is to elevate the pupil.

Inferior Rectus

An extraocular muscle with insertion into the Sclera Inferiorly; innervated by the Oculomotor Nerve ($CN\,III$), its action is to depress the pupil.

Medial Rectus

An extraocular muscle with insertion into the Sclera - Medially; innervated by the Oculomotor Nerve ($CN\,III$), its action is to adduct the pupil.

Superior Oblique

An extraocular muscle with insertion Around Trochlea to point posterior to Superior Rectus; innervated by the Trochlear Nerve ($CN\,IV$), its action is to turn the pupil down and out and rotate the pupil medially (top of eye moves medially).

Lateral Rectus

An extraocular muscle with insertion into the Sclera Laterally; innervated by the Abducens Nerve ($CN\,VI$), its action is to abduct the pupil.

Inferior Oblique

An extraocular muscle with insertion at a point posterior to Lateral Rectus; innervated by the Oculomotor Nerve ($CN\,III$), its action is to turn the pupil up and in and rotate the pupil laterally (Top of eye moves laterally).

Levator Palpebrea

A muscle originating from the Sphenoid bone and inserting into the skin of the upper eyelid; it is innervated by the Oculomotor Nerve ($CN\,III$) and functions to elevate the upper eyelid.

Levator Palpebrea Classification

Technically an eyelid muscle rather than an extraocular eye muscle since it does not move the eye.