The sixth cranial nerve is responsible for powering which extra ocular muscle?

The sixth cranial nerve, known as the abducens nerve, is specifically responsible for innervating the lateral rectus muscle. This muscle plays a crucial role in the movement of the eye, particularly in abduction, or moving the eye away from the midline of the body. When the lateral rectus contracts, it pulls the eye outward, allowing for horizontal eye movement towards the side.

Understanding the function of cranial nerves in relation to eye muscles is important in ophthalmology and optometry, as any dysfunction of the sixth cranial nerve can lead to issues like diplopia (double vision) due to an inability to properly align the eyes. This highlights the importance of the lateral rectus muscle in normal visual function and coordination.