abducens nerve

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. either one of the sixth pair of cranial nerves composed of motor fibers that innervate the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.

---

abducens nerve British  

/ æbˈdjuːsənz /

noun

1. either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves, which supply the lateral rectus muscle of the eye

---

Etymology

Origin of abducens nerve

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

As the name suggests, the abducens nerve is responsible for abducting the eye, which it controls through contraction of the lateral rectus muscle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The trochlear nerve and the abducens nerve are both responsible for eye movement, but do so by controlling different extraocular muscles.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The lateral rectus, which causes abduction of the eye, is innervated by the abducens nerve.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Both are supplied by the abducens nerve, together with the rectus externus muscle.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various