comes from the Latin abducere (ab-, "from" + ducere, "to draw or to lead"), hence "to draw away from." An abductor muscle is one that draws a part away from the body. The CN 6 (Cranial Nerve (Six; VI); Abducens), or sixth cranial, nerve is so called because it supplies the lateral rectus muscle that "draws away" the eyeball toward the side of the head.