The recording of potentials from the ocular muscles in man is a new technique which is providing a greater insight into ocular motility and innervation than we have had in the past. While the neurophysiologist considers electromyography a basically simple technique, it is fraught with difficulties in both the recording and the interpretation of the records for others who may not be sophisticated in electrophysiological methods. It is our goal to present the elements of the human electromyography of the extraocular muscles. We hope that this presentation will aid anyone who wishes to take an extraocular electromyogram himself but above all serve as a guide in aiding the reader to interpret and evaluate electromyograms, which are becoming commoner in the ophthalmic literature. Furthermore, this paper will serve as a basis for subsequent publications from this laboratory.