Which of the following extraocular muscles is responsible for turning the eye left and right?

The lateral rectus and medial rectus muscles are primarily responsible for horizontal eye movement, specifically for turning the eye left and right. The lateral rectus muscle is involved in abduction, which moves the eye away from the midline, specifically turning it outward to the side. In contrast, the medial rectus muscle is responsible for adduction, moving the eye toward the midline.

When looking to the left, the left lateral rectus contracts while the right medial rectus contracts, allowing the eyes to move in tandem to the left. Conversely, when looking to the right, the right lateral rectus and left medial rectus work together to facilitate the movement to the right. This coordinated action enables a smooth and accurate lateral eye movement, essential for activities such as tracking moving objects or reading across a page.

In contrast, the superior oblique, inferior oblique, and superior rectus muscles primarily contribute to vertical movements and rotation of the eye rather than purely horizontal movements.