What is the secondary action of the inferior rectus?

Prepare for the NBEO Ocular Motility Test. Practice with questions and explanations to enhance your understanding. Get ready for your exam easily!

Multiple Choice

What is the secondary action of the inferior rectus?

Explanation:
The inferior rectus mainly depresses the eye, but it also has secondary actions. Along with downward movement, it contributes to outward rotation of the top of the eye—excyclotorsion. That torsional component is what this item tests, so excyclotorsion is the best chosen secondary action. Incyclotorsion would be inward rotation and elevation is the opposite of its primary depressor action, so they’re not correct here. Adduction is another secondary action, but the torsional (excyclotorsion) aspect is the specific secondary movement highlighted by this question.

The inferior rectus mainly depresses the eye, but it also has secondary actions. Along with downward movement, it contributes to outward rotation of the top of the eye—excyclotorsion. That torsional component is what this item tests, so excyclotorsion is the best chosen secondary action.

Incyclotorsion would be inward rotation and elevation is the opposite of its primary depressor action, so they’re not correct here. Adduction is another secondary action, but the torsional (excyclotorsion) aspect is the specific secondary movement highlighted by this question.

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