In right lateral rectus palsy all of the following are seen except –
**Question:** In right lateral rectus palsy all of the following are seen except -
A. Inability to abduct the eye
B. Inability to adduct the eye
C. Inability to elevate the eye
D. Normal eye movements
**Core Concept:**
Right lateral rectus palsy is a condition where there is a weakness or paralysis of the lateral rectus muscle on the right side, resulting in abnormal eye movements. The lateral rectus muscle is responsible for abducting the eye, while the other muscles (medial rectus, superior rectus, and inferior rectus) are involved in adducting, elevating, and depressing the eye, respectively.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
In a patient with right lateral rectus palsy, the lateral rectus muscle is affected, which primarily affects abduction of the eye. The other eye movements (adduction, elevation, and depression) are maintained by the other muscles (medial rectus, superior rectus, and inferior rectus) and are not affected in this condition.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Inability to abduct the eye (Option B) - This is seen in right lateral rectus palsy due to the involvement of the abducting lateral rectus muscle.
B. Inability to adduct the eye (Option C) - This is not seen in right lateral rectus palsy, as adduction is controlled by the medial rectus muscle, which remains intact.
D. Normal eye movements (Option D) - This is incorrect because right lateral rectus palsy results in abnormal abduction of the eye, making the overall eye movements non-normal.
**Clinical Pearl:**
In right lateral rectus palsy, the patient may present with a fixed, deviated eye in the lateral direction (usually down and to the side) due to the inability to abduct the eye. This condition may be caused by a lesion in the lateral rectus muscle, its innervation, or the central nervous system pathways involved in controlling abduction. Treatment options may include physiotherapy, prism glasses, or surgical intervention in severe cases.