2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
6 Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Part I: Strabismus
Chapter 3: Anatomy of the Extraocular Muscles
Origin, Course, Insertion, and Innervation of the Extraocular Muscles
Vertical Rectus Muscles
The vertical rectus muscles are the superior and inferior rectus muscles. The superior rectus muscle originates from the annulus of Zinn and courses anteriorly, upward over the eyeball, and laterally, forming an angle of 23° with the visual axis or the midplane of the eye in primary position (Fig 3-2; see also Chapter 4, Fig 4-3). The inferior rectus muscle also arises from the annulus of Zinn, and it then courses anteriorly, downward, and laterally along the floor of the orbit, forming an angle of 23° with the visual axis or midplane of the eye in primary position (see Chapter 4, Fig 4-4).
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.