Which cranial nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle?

Which cranial nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle?

• A. Facial nerve
• B. Trigeminal nerve
• C. Abducens nerve
• D. Olfactory nerve

Answer: (C)

The lateral rectus is responsible for moving the eye outward (abduction). It is innervated by the abducens nerve, which is cranial nerve VI. This nerve originates in the abducens nucleus in the pons and travels to the orbit to supply the lateral rectus muscle, enabling lateral gaze. The other nerves listed have different roles: the facial nerve controls facial muscles, not eye muscles; the trigeminal nerve provides sensory sensation to the face and motor to muscles of mastication; and the olfactory nerve carries sense of smell.

The lateral rectus is responsible for moving the eye outward (abduction). It is innervated by the abducens nerve, which is cranial nerve VI. This nerve originates in the abducens nucleus in the pons and travels to the orbit to supply the lateral rectus muscle, enabling lateral gaze.

The other nerves listed have different roles: the facial nerve controls facial muscles, not eye muscles; the trigeminal nerve provides sensory sensation to the face and motor to muscles of mastication; and the olfactory nerve carries sense of smell.