Nervus abducens

Nervus Abducens

The Nervus Abducens or Abducens Nerve (also known as Cranial Nerve VI) is one of the twelve cranial nerves in the human body. It is a somatic efferent nerve that, in humans, controls the movement of a single muscle, the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.

Anatomy

The Nervus Abducens originates from the abducens nucleus in the dorsal pons, near the fourth ventricle. It travels anteriorly through the pontine cistern, enters the dura at the petroclival junction, and courses along the clivus. It then makes a sharp turn forward to pierce the dura mater and enters the cavernous sinus.

Function

The primary function of the Nervus Abducens is to innervate the lateral rectus muscle, which abducts the eye. This means it moves the eyeball horizontally away from the midline of the body, allowing the eye to look to the side.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Nervus Abducens can result in Abducens Nerve Palsy, a condition characterized by horizontal double vision. The affected individual sees one image when looking straight ahead, but sees two images when looking to the side. This is because the affected eye can't turn outward and stays pointed toward the nose.

See Also

• Cranial Nerves
• Abducens Nerve Palsy
• Lateral Rectus Muscle