Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The extraocular muscles of the eye are responsible for moving the eyeball. They are innervated by three cranial nerves: the oculomotor nerve (CN III), the trochlear nerve (CN IV), and the abducent nerve (CN VI).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the innervation of the extraocular muscles in domestic animals:
- The trochlear nerve (CN IV) innervates the dorsal oblique muscle.
- The abducent nerve (CN VI) innervates the lateral rectus muscle and, in domestic animals that possess it, the retractor oculi muscle.
- The oculomotor nerve (CN III) innervates all the remaining extraocular muscles: the dorsal rectus, ventral rectus, medial rectus, and ventral oblique muscles.
Therefore, the lateral rectus and retractor oculi are innervated by the abducent nerve.
Step 3: Final Answer
The correct option is (B).