Superior oblique muscle

Superior oblique
Recti muscles:
2 = superior, 3 = inferior, 4 = medial, 5 = lateral
Oblique muscles: 6 = superior, 8 = inferior
Other muscle: 9 = levator palpebrae superioris
Other structures: 1 = Annulus of Zinn, 7 = Trochlea, 10 = Superior tarsus, 11 = Sclera, 12 = Optic nerve
Details
OriginSphenoid bone at the orbital apex, medial to optic canal
InsertionOuter posterior quadrant of the eyeball
ArteryLateral muscular branch of the ophthalmic artery
NerveTrochlear nerve
ActionsPrimary action is intorsion (medial rotation); secondary actions are to abduct and depress the eyeball (i.e. it makes the eye move outward and downward)
Identifiers
Latinmusculus obliquus superior bulbi
TA98A15.2.07.016
TA22048
FMA49039
Anatomical terms of muscle

The superior oblique muscle or obliquus oculi superior is a fusiform muscle originating in the upper, medial side of the orbit (i.e. from beside the nose) which abducts, depresses and internally rotates the eye. It is the only extraocular muscle innervated by the trochlear nerve (the fourth cranial nerve).