Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Which muscle is responsible for adducting the eye?

1. Lateral rectus

2. Superior rectus

3. Medial rectus

4. Inferior oblique

The correct answer is: Medial rectus

The muscle responsible for adducting the eye is indeed the medial rectus. This muscle plays a crucial role in eye movement by moving the eye towards the nose. Adduction refers to the movement of a part toward the midline of the body, which, in the context of eye movement, is the inward movement of the eye. The medial rectus muscle is one of the extraocular muscles that control eye movement. It is innervated by the oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) and is specifically engaged when the eyes are directed towards the midline. This function is important for various visual tasks, including tracking objects and maintaining proper binocular alignment. While the lateral rectus is responsible for abduction (moving the eye away from the midline), the superior and inferior rectus muscles are involved in vertical movements (elevation and depression, respectively), and the inferior oblique primarily facilitates elevation and outward rotation of the eye. Thus, adduction distinctly highlights the role of the medial rectus in controlling this particular eye movement.