What is the tertiary action of the superior oblique?

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 tertiary action of the superior oblique?

Explanation:
The key point is how the superior oblique acts in three different ways depending on where the eye is looking. Its main action is intorsion (rotating the top of the eye toward the nose). When the eye turns inward (adduction), this muscle also depresses the eye as its secondary action. If the eye is directed outward (abduction), the pull of the superior oblique contributes an outward movement of the eye as its tertiary action. So the tertiary action is abduction.

The key point is how the superior oblique acts in three different ways depending on where the eye is looking. Its main action is intorsion (rotating the top of the eye toward the nose). When the eye turns inward (adduction), this muscle also depresses the eye as its secondary action. If the eye is directed outward (abduction), the pull of the superior oblique contributes an outward movement of the eye as its tertiary action. So the tertiary action is abduction.

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