Abducens nerve

Definition

The abducens nerve is the sixth cranial nerve that primarily controls the lateral rectus muscle, responsible for moving the eyeball outward, away from the midline of the body. It originates from the brainstem and plays a critical role in coordinating eye movements.

Related terms

Cranial Nerves: Twelve pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain, not through the spinal column, responsible for sensory and motor functions of the head and neck.

Lateral Rectus Muscle: A muscle in the eye that is controlled by the abducens nerve, functioning to rotate the eye away from the nose.

Brainstem: The part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord, playing an essential role in regulating vital life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure