abducent
/æb'dju:sənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- In anatomy and physiology, especially describing muscles or nerves: causing movement away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part. It is the opposite of "adducent."
Noun:
- A specific nerve, the abducent nerve (also known as the sixth cranial nerve or cranial nerve VI). It is a small motor nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, enabling the eye to look outward.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The abducent function of the muscle was tested by the neurologist.
- Damage to the nerve can impair the abducent movement of the eyeball.
Noun:
- The patient's double vision was caused by a lesion on the abducent.
- The abducent nerve exits the brainstem at the pontomedullary junction.
Advanced Usage
- Medical Terminology: The term is almost exclusively used in technical medical, anatomical, and neurological contexts. In general conversation, it is very rare.
- "Abducent nerve": This is the most common usage of the noun form, often specified to avoid confusion with the adjective.
Variants and Related Words
- Abducens: A noun form used interchangeably with "abducent nerve." (e.g., ).
- Abduction (n): The movement produced by an abducent muscle (e.g., ).
- Abductor (n): A muscle that performs abduction.
- Adducent (adj): The antonym, meaning drawing toward the midline.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Abducting.
- Noun: Abducens nerve, sixth cranial nerve, cranial nerve VI.
Related Phrases
- Abducent nerve palsy: A medical condition involving paralysis of the abducent nerve, leading to an inability to move the eye outward.
Adjective
- especially of muscles; drawing away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part
Noun
- a small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye