What term describes the horizontal eye movement that turns the eye laterally?

The term that describes the horizontal eye movement turning the eye laterally is "abduction." This movement occurs when the eye rotates away from the midline of the body, effectively increasing the angle between the line of sight and the nose. This lateral movement is primarily controlled by the lateral rectus muscle, which is innervated by the abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI).

Understanding eye movements is crucial in ophthalmology and vision science, as these actions are essential for proper visual tracking and depth perception. The concept of abduction helps to differentiate it from other eye movements such as adduction, which refers to moving the eye toward the midline, elevation, which is the upward movement of the eye, and depression, which is the downward movement. Each of these terms plays a significant role in describing and diagnosing various ocular conditions, as well as understanding the mechanics of vision and eye health.