Medial rectus

Medial Rectus

The Medial Rectus is one of the six extraocular muscles that control the movements of the eye. It is the largest of the eye's muscles and its primary function is to move the eye towards the nose, a movement known as adduction.

Anatomy

The Medial Rectus originates from the Annulus of Zinn, also known as the common tendinous ring, which is located at the apex of the orbit. From there, it extends forward to insert into the medial, or nasal, side of the eyeball. The muscle is innervated by the oculomotor nerve, specifically its inferior division.

Function

The primary action of the Medial Rectus is adduction, or movement of the eye towards the nose. It is the only muscle capable of pure adduction and is most active when the eye is in an abducted position.

Clinical significance

Damage to the Medial Rectus can result in a range of eye movement disorders, including strabismus, a condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. Treatment for such conditions may involve surgery to correct the alignment of the muscles.

See also

• Extraocular muscles
• Oculomotor nerve
• Strabismus

Medial rectus Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia