The inferior rectus muscle, is shown in this superior view of the eye, along with its axis of rotation. The other muscle is the superior oblique muscle, which angles around the trochlea.
The inferior rectus muscle is a muscle in the orbit near the eye. It is one of the four recti muscles in the group of extraocular muscles. It originates from the common tendinous ring, and inserts into the anteroinferior surface of the eye. It depresses the eye (downwards).
The inferior rectus muscle originates from the common tendinous ring (annulus of Zinn).[1] It inserts into the anteroinferior surface of the eye.[2] This insertion has a width of around 10.5 mm.[2] It is around 7 mm from the corneal limbus.[2]
Blood supply
The inferior rectus muscle is supplied by an inferior muscular branch of the ophthalmic artery.[1] It may also be supplied by a branch of the infraorbital artery.[1] It is drained by the corresponding veins: the inferior muscular branch of the ophthalmic vein, and sometimes a branch of the infraorbital vein.[1]
Nerve supply
The inferior rectus muscle is supplied by the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve (III).[1]
The inferior rectus muscle depresses, adducts, and helps extort the eye.[1] It is the only muscle that is capable of depressing the pupil when it is in a fully abducted position.[5]
Clinical significance
Strabismus
If the inferior rectus muscle is damaged, weak, or paralysed, this can cause strabismus.[1][6] This can lead to elevation of the eye, as the superior rectus muscle remains stronger.[6] For minor cases, prism glasses can be used to gradually realign the eye.[6] Alternatively for serious cases, it may be surgically corrected by slightly weakening the superior rectus muscle (opposite) - this reduces the elevation of the eye, and corrects the strabismus.[6] This procedure may lead to overcorrection of the strabismus, but is otherwise generally successful.[7]
