abducens nerve
noun
ab·du·cens nerve ab-ˈdü-ˌsenz- 
-ˈdyü-
: either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves that are motor nerves supplying the rectus on the outer and lateral side of each eye
called also abducens
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin (nervus) abdūcens, literally, "(nerve) pulling away," in reference to the abducting function of the muscle that the nerve controls; Medieval Latin abdūcens, present participle of abdūcere "to draw (a limb) away from the body" — more at abduct
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
abducens nerve
noun
: either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves which are motor nerves, arise beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle, and supply the lateral rectus muscle of each eye
called also abducent nerve, sixth cranial nerve