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.

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abducens nerve British  

/ æbˈdjuːsənz /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of abducens nerve

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abducens nerve

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

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

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

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