Cranial nerve VI, also known as the abducens nerve, is one of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves in the human body. It primarily controls the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for moving the eye outward, away from the nose. This movement is essential for proper eye coordination and visual tracking. The abducens nerve originates in the brainstem, specifically from the pons, and travels to the orbit of the eye. Damage to this nerve can result in strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not properly align, leading to double vision or difficulty in focusing on objects.