The abducens nerve, also known as the cranial nerve VI, is one of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves in the human body. It primarily controls the movement of the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for moving the eye outward, away from the nose. This nerve plays a crucial role in coordinating eye movements, allowing for proper vision and depth perception. Originating from the brainstem, the abducens nerve travels through the dural sheath and enters the orbit to reach the eye. Damage to this nerve can lead to conditions such as strabismus, where the eyes do not align properly, resulting in double vision or difficulty focusing.