A Look at the Extraocular Muscles and Their Functions

Your extraocular muscles are located within your eyes’ orbital sockets but are actually separate from the eyeball itself. Together, they work to control the eye and eyelid.

Expert eye doctor Nova Vision Center outlines below the seven extraocular muscles you have:

1. Superior Rectus – One of the recti muscles, the superior rectus is mainly responsible for movements requiring elevation. It also contributes to medial rotation and adduction.

2. Inferior Rectus – Attached to the anterior and inferior aspects of the sclera, or the white of the eye, the inferior rectus helps with lateral rotation and adduction in the eyeball and controls movements involving depression.

3. Medial Rectus – Connected to the anteromedial aspect of the sclera, the medial rectus’ main function is eyeball adduction.

4. Lateral Rectus – Attached to the anterolateral aspect of the sclera, the lateral rectus is primarily concerned with eye abductions, or temporal movements.

5. Superior Obliques – These muscles take on an angular approach, attaching to the surface of the sclera. Superior obliques, in particular, are tasked with depression, abduction and medial rotations in the eye.

6. Inferior Obliques – Inferior obliques are responsible for elevating, abducting and laterally rotating the eye.

7. Levator Palpebrae Superiosis – Attached to the upper eyelid’s superior tarsal plate, the levator palpebrae superiosis’s main function is to elevate the upper eyelid.

At Nova Vision Center, we are committed to your eye health, so don’t hesitate to ask us questions about anything vision-related. Your eyes are important to your overall well-being, after all, and we want you to have the absolutely best care possible. We recommend having a regular eye exam so we can identify any underlying conditions as soon as possible and provide the proper treatment.

To learn more about the eyeglasses we offer just give us a call at (703) 578-3600. Nova Vision Center is ready to help you with our eye care solutions. Nova Vision Center serves Falls Church, Arlington and nearby VA communities.