The medial and lateral rectus muscles pass forward and attach to the anterior half of the eyeball (Fig. 8.95). Contraction of medial rectus adducts the eyeball, whereas contraction of lateral rectus abducts the eyeball (Fig. 8.97A).
The inferior branch of the oculomotor nerve [III] innervates the medial rectus, and the abducent nerve [VI] innervates the lateral rectus.