Anatomical Terminology Atlas

• abductor - An anatomical designation applied to any muscle or nerve that performs or coordinates the movement of abduction (moving a segment away from the body axis). In neuropsychiatric examination, the tone and strength of abductor segments (such as the abductor hallucis muscle or the lateral rectus muscle of the eye) are evaluated to diagnose myopathies, nerve paresis, or catatonic states of muscular resistance.