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Eye
- Accessory structures of eye
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Inferior rectus
The inferior rectus (Latin: musculus rectus inferior), also called the inferior rectus extraocular muscle, is one of the six extraocular muscles that are in control of eye movements. Actions of the inferior rectus result in moving the visual gaze down and in.
Origin
The inferior rectus originates from the common tendinous ring, below the optic canal.
![Extraocular muscles, Recti muscles, Eyeball, Superior rectus, Inferior rectus, Medial rectus, Lateral rectus, Anterolateral view](https://anatomy.net/uploads/1271f2b7-923d-4125-932a-daea34ca7bac.png?width=1200)
Insertion
The inferior rectus inserts obliquely into the sclera below the cornea, approximately 1/4 inch (6.5 mm) behind the corneal limbus.
![Extraocular muscles, Recti muscles, Bony orbit, Skull, Eyeball, Superior rectus, Inferior rectus, Medial rectus, Lateral rectus, Anterolateral view](https://anatomy.net/uploads/1404bf77-6025-4c0c-8e49-b29d56a20af1.png?width=1200)
Action
The contractions of the inferior rectus provide the depression and lateral rotation of the eyeball.
![Extraocular muscles, Recti muscles, Bony orbit, Skull, Eyeball, Superior rectus, Inferior rectus, Medial rectus, Lateral rectus, Anterolateral view](https://anatomy.net/uploads/6f946ac7-5aac-4e21-b4b9-a3191f29e846.png?width=1200)
Innervation
The inferior rectus is innervated by the oculomotor nerve (CN III).
Blood supply
The arterial blood supply to the inferior rectus is provided by the ophthalmic artery and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery.