Lateral rectus muscle

The lateral rectus muscle is one of the six muscles that control eye movement. It is responsible for moving the eye outward, away from the nose, allowing you to look sideways. This muscle attaches to the outer part of the eyeball and is controlled by a cranial nerve called the sixth nerve (abducens nerve). Proper functioning of the lateral rectus muscle is essential for coordinated eye movements and binocular vision, helping maintain proper alignment between both eyes. Weakness or paralysis of this muscle can cause double vision or difficulty moving the eye outward.