Intrinsic (intraocular) muscles
Ciliary muscle
Constrictor pupillae of iris
Dilator pupillae of iris
Extrinsic (extraocular) muscles
Six muscles
Four arise from common tendineus ring surrounding optic canal and part of superior orbital fissure
Lateral and medial rectus (2)
a. Lie in same horizontal plane
b. Rotate eyeball laterally and medially, respectively
Superior and inferior rectus (2)
a. Lie in same vertical plane
b. Pull eyeball superiorly and inferiorly, respectively
Inferior oblique
a. Works with superior rectus
b. Pulls eyeball superiorly and laterally
Superior oblique
a. Works with inferior rectus
b. Pulls eyeball inferiorly and laterally
Sheathed by reflection of fascial sheath around eyeball (Tenon's capsule)
Medial and lateral check ligaments
a. Triangular expansions of sheath of medial and lateral rectus muscles
b. Attached to lacrimal and zygomatic bones
c. Limit abduction and adduction
Suspensory ligament
a. Union of check ligaments with fascia of inferior rectus and inferior oblique muscles
b. Forms sling that supports eyeball
Muscle Origin Insertion Action Nerve Supply Blood Supply
Extrinsic
muscles of
the eyeball
Superior
rectus
Common tendinous ring Superior aspect of eyeball,
posterior to the corneoscleral
junction
Elevates,
adducts, and
medially rotates
eyeball
Oculomotor nerve
(CN III) -superior
division
Ophthalmic
artery
Inferior
rectus
Common tendinous ring Inferior aspect of eyeball,
posterior to corneoscleral
junction
Depresses,
adducts, and
laterally rotates
eyeball
Oculomotor nerve
(CN III) -superior
division
Ophthalmic
artery
Medial
rectus
Common tendinous ring Medial aspect of eyeball,
posterior to corneoscleral
junction
Adducts eyeball Oculomotor nerve
(CN III) -superior
division
Ophthalmic
artery
Lateral
rectus
Common tendinous ring Lateral aspect of eyeball,
posterior to corneoscleral
junction
Abducts eyeball Abducent nerve (CN
VI)
Ophthalmic
artery
Superior
oblique
Body of sphenoid, above
optic foramen and medial
origin of superior rectus
Passes through trochlea and
attaches to superior sclera
between superior and lateral recti
Abducts,
depresses, and
medially rotates
eyeball
Trochlear nerve
(CN IV)
Ophthalmic
artery
Inferior
oblique
Anterior floor of orbit lateral
to nasolacrimal canal
Lateral sclera deep to lateral
rectus
Abducts, elevates,
and laterally
rotates eyeball
Oculomotor nerve
(CN III) -inferior
division
Ophthalmic
artery
Muscles of
eyelids
Levator
palpebrae
superioris
Lesser wing of sphenoid,
anterior to optic canal
Superior tarsal plate Raises upper
eyelid
Oculomotor nerve
(CN III) -superior
division
Ophthalmic
artery
Orbicularis
oculi
Medial orbital margin,
palpebral ligament, and
lacrimal bone
Skin around orbit palpebral
ligament, upper and lower
eyelids
Closes eyelids Facial nerve (CN
VII)
Facial and
superficial
temporal
arteries
Intrinsic
muscles of
the eye
Sphincter
pupillae
(iris)
Circular smooth muscle of
the iris that passes around
pupil
Constricts pupil Parasympathetic
fibers via
occulomotor (CN III)
Ophthalmic
artery
Dilator
pupillae
(iris)
Ciliary body Dilates pupil Sympathetic fibers
via long ciliary
nerves (CN V 1 )
Ophthalmic
artery
Ciliary
muscles
Corneoscleral junction Ciliary body Controls lens
shape
(accommodation)
Parasympathetic
fibers via short
ciliary nerves (CN
V 1 )
Ophthalmic
artery