Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What is another term for "depression" regarding extraocular eye movements?

1. Adduction

2. Elevation

3. Infraduction

4. Outduction

The correct answer is: Infraduction

The term "depression" in the context of extraocular eye movements refers specifically to the downward movement of the eye. In anatomical terms, this downward motion is more commonly known as "infraduction." The extraocular muscles control these movements, and when the eyes move downward, they are undergoing infraduction. Understanding the various movements of the eye is essential in fields like ophthalmology and neurology, as it helps in assessing the function of cranial nerves and the overall health of the visual system. Adduction refers to the inward movement of the eye towards the nose, elevation is the upward movement, and outduction (sometimes used interchangeably with abduction) describes the movement away from the midline. Thus, distinguishing these terms clearly is vital for proper communication about eye movement anatomy and physiology.