Movement of a single eye in any direction
Movement of both eyes in any direction. There are 9 cardinal positions of gaze including primary position.
Describes which muscles contract when the eyes are moved from primary position to one of the other 8 gaze positions. These are based on the primary action of each muscle. These are called Yoke muscles.
The Law of Equal Innervation
When a voluntary eye movement is made, equal and simultaneous neural innervation is sent to the yoke muscles of both eyes.
The Law of Reciprocal Innervation
When a muscle contracts, its antagonist receives simultaneous inhibition, allowing smooth, efficient movement.
| Action | Muscles |
|---|---|
| Elevation | Superior Rectus and Inferior Oblique |
| Depression | Inferior Rectus and Superior Oblique |
| Adduction | Medial Rectus, Superior Rectus, Inferior Rectus |
| Abduction | Lateral Rectus, Superior Oblique, Inferior Oblique |
| Excyclotorsion | Inferior Oblique, Inferior Rectus |
| Incyclotorsion | Superior Oblique, Superior Rectus |
| Gaze (Versions) | Yoke Muscles |
|---|---|
| Right | Right Lateral Rectus, Left Medial Rectus |
| Left | Right Medial Rectus, Left Lateral Rectus |
| Elevation | Both Superior Rectus and both Inferior Obliques |
| Depression | Both Inferior Rectus and both Superior Obliques |
| Up and Right | Right Superior Rectus, Left Inferior Oblique |
| Down and Right | Right Inferior Rectus, Left Superior Oblique |
| Up and Left | Left Superior Rectus, Right Inferior Oblique |
| Down and Left | Left Inferior rRctus, Right Superior Oblique |