What does the Abducens nerve control?

The Abducens nerve is primarily responsible for controlling the lateral rectus muscle, which is essential for lateral gaze. This muscle allows the eye to move outward, away from the midline of the body, enabling a person to look to the sides. Proper function of the Abducens nerve ensures that the eyes can work together during lateral eye movements, which is crucial for tasks such as tracking moving objects or shifting the gaze from one side to another.

Understanding the specific functions of each cranial nerve helps clarify their roles in both normal physiological functions and clinical presentations, which can be critical in a physical therapy context or any examination regarding cranial nerve functions.