abducens nerve

noun

ab·​du·​cens nerve ab-ˈdü-ˌsenz- How to pronounce abducens nerve (audio)
-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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abducens nerve was in 1947

Rhymes for abducens nerve

See All Rhymes for abducens nerve

Browse Nearby Words

abdomino-
abducens nerve
abducent nerve
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abducens nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abducens%20nerve. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

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

More from Merriam-Webster on abducens nerve

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abducens nerve

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All