The spelling of "musculus rectus lateralis" can be a challenge due to its complex Latin roots. Using IPA phonetic transcription can help understand the word's pronunciation and spelling. "Musculus" is pronounced "mʊskjʊləs," "rectus" is pronounced "rɛktəs," and "lateralis" is pronounced "lætərælɪs." The combination of these three words results in a word that is spelled as "mʊskjʊləs rɛktəs lætərælɪs." This term refers to the lateral rectus muscle in the eye that helps with lateral movement.
The term "musculus rectus lateralis" refers to a particular muscle found in the human anatomy. Specifically, it is translated from Latin as the "lateral straight muscle." It is one of the six extraocular muscles, or eye muscles, responsible for controlling the movements of the eyeball. The musculus rectus lateralis is positioned on the outside or lateral side of the eye, and it comprises a long, narrow band of muscle fiber.
This muscle is responsible for specific horizontal movements of the eye, such as abduction or outward rotation. When the musculus rectus lateralis contracts, it pulls the eye towards the outer side or away from the nose. It works in coordination with the other extraocular muscles to ensure precise control and synchronized movement of the eye.
The musculus rectus lateralis is innervated by the abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI), which transmits commands from the brain to the muscle for initiating movements. Damage or dysfunction to this ocular muscle can result in various eye-related issues, including limited lateral eye movement, double vision, or eye misalignment.
Moreover, medical professionals and researchers often study the musculus rectus lateralis to gain a deeper understanding of ocular anatomy and to develop treatments for conditions that affect eye movement and coordination.
M. rectus externus; origin, by two heads from the outer margin of the optic foramen and from the lower margin of the sphenoida fissure and the ligament of Zinn; insertion, sclerotic; nerve supply, abducens; action, turns eyeball outward.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.