 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2015) |
| 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 | |
 Sagittal section of right orbital cavity | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Sphenoid bone at the orbital apex, medial to optic canal |
| Insertion | Outer posterior quadrant of the eyeball |
| Artery | Lateral muscular branch of the ophthalmic artery |
| Nerve | Trochlear nerve |
| Actions | Primary 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 | |
| Latin | musculus obliquus superior bulbi |
| TA98 | A15.2.07.016 |
| TA2 | 2048 |
| FMA | 49039 |
| 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).