superior rectus muscle
- noun
- /suːˈpɪəriər ˈrɛktəs ˈmʌsəl/
- Specialized
:
músculo recto superior
- Damage to the superior rectus muscle can prevent the eye from moving upward properly.
Examples
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During the eye examination, the doctor tested the function of the superior rectus muscle.
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The superior rectus muscle helps move the eye upward.
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The superior rectus muscle works together with other ocular muscles to direct gaze.
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She has strong superior rectus muscles.
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Damage to the superior rectus muscle can prevent the eye from moving upward properly.
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During the eye examination, the doctor tested the function of the superior rectus muscle.
-
The superior rectus muscle works together with other ocular muscles to direct gaze.
Synonyms
A muscle in the eye that turns the eyeball up and toward the nose
A muscle that moves the eye upward and inward
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'superior' (upper) + 'rectus' (a straight muscle) + 'muscle', so a learner who knows the parts can infer it refers to an upper/straight muscle and plausibly that it moves the eye upward. However, the precise anatomical role (that it acts on the eyeball and moves it medially as well as upward) and the technical use of Latin-derived terms are specialized knowledge not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Superior rectus muscle comes from Latin words superior meaning 'upper' and rectus meaning 'straight'. It sits above the eye and pulls the eyeball up and a little toward the nose, so the name helps you remember its job.
