lateral rectus muscle lateral rectus muscle the lateral rectus muscle is a muscle on the lateral side of the eye in the orbit. it is one of six extraocular muscles that control the movements of the eye. the lateral rectus muscle is responsible for lateral movement of the eyeball, specifically abduction. abduction describes the movement of the eye away from the midline (i.a. nose), allowing the eyeball to move horizontally in the lateral direction, bringing the pupil away from the midline of the body. for the muscle of the neck, see rectus capitis lateralis muscle. lateral rectusfigure showing the mode of innervation of the recti medialis and lateralis of the eye.lateral rectus muscle: is shown in this superior view of the eye. the lateral rectus is on the right side of the image.detailsorigincommon tendinous ring at the orbital apexinsertion7 mm temporal to the limbusnerveabducens nerveactionsabducts the eyeball (makes it move outwards)identifierslatinmusculus rectus lateralis bulbita98a15.2.07.013ta22045fma49038anatomical terms of muscle structure