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lateral rectus muscle

lateral rectus muscle

6.4
A muscle on the outer side of the eye that turns the eye outward away from the nose
  • noun
  • /ˈlætərəl ˈrɛktəs ˈmʌsəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : músculo recto lateral
  • During the examination, the doctor assessed the function of the lateral rectus muscle to check for any abnormalities in eye movement.
  • lateral rectus muscle palsy

Examples

  • Examination also revealed an afferent pupillary defect of the right eye and right lateral rectus muscle palsy (Figure 1).

    Academic text (2006)
  • The patient has weakness in the lateral rectus muscle, causing difficulty in moving the eye outward.

  • At presentation, the patient exhibits palsy of the lateral rectus muscle of the right eye.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The patient presented with a complete loss of vision in one eye and lateral rectus muscle palsy, but no nasal symptoms.

    Academic text (2006)
  • An injury to the lateral rectus muscle can lead to misalignment of the eyes, resulting in double vision.

Synonyms

lateral rectus
vslateral rectus muscle
  • Specialized
6.7

A muscle on the outer side of the eye that moves it away from the nose

emphasizes contraction as the cause of outward turning
rectus lateralis
vslateral rectus muscle
  • Specialized
7.0

A muscle on the outer side of the eye that turns the eye outward

specifies movement away from the nose when contracting
abducens muscle
vslateral rectus muscle
  • Specialized
8.6

A muscle that moves the eye outward away from the nose

sits on the outer eyeball and contracts to turn the eye outward

Antonyms

medial rectus muscle
  • Specialized
5.5

Muscle on the inner side of the eye that moves the eye toward the nose

Surface Forms

Morphology

lateral + rectus + muscle

The label is fully compositional: 'lateral' (of the side) + 'rectus' (a straight muscle) + 'muscle' describes a specific muscle located on the side of the eye. A learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer this refers to the side (outer) straight muscle of the eyeball, so the overall meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Lateral rectus muscle names the muscle on the outer side of the eyeball: lateral points to the 'side' and rectus to 'straight'. When this muscle pulls, it moves the eye outward away from the nose, so it 'turns the eye outward'.