What is the action of the lateral rectus muscle?

The lateral rectus muscle is primarily responsible for moving the eye laterally, which means it allows the eye to look outward away from the midline of the face. This muscle is one of the extraocular muscles that control eye movement, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating horizontal eye motions. When the lateral rectus contracts, it pulls on the eye in such a way that it rotates away from the nose, facilitating lateral gaze. Understanding the function of this muscle is important in the context of eye movement and coordination, particularly when assessing conditions that may affect vision or eye alignment.