Be the apple of my eye: demonstrating the actions of the extraocular muscles.

Abstract

Understanding the actions of the extraocular muscles, especially within the context of clinical testing of eye movements, often poses a challenge for beginning anatomy students. A simple demonstration of these muscle actions can greatly clarify the mechanical concepts in question. Required supplies include an apple (other select fruit will suffice), dissecting needle, several rubber bands, and several push pins. The stem of the apple represents the pupil, the dissecting needle serves as the axis of rotation of the eye, and the rubber bands (held in place with the push pins) represent the individual extraocular muscles. Pulling each rubber band causes the apple to turn about the dissecting needle in each of the three axes of rotation, allowing the user to test and visualize the muscle actions. This teaching tool is affordable and easy‐to‐master, thus allowing students to repeat the lesson at their leisure.