Abducens Nerve

Original Editor - Innocent Abugu

Top Contributors - Innocent Abugu, Joseph Ayotunde Aderonmu, Kim Jackson and Wendy Snyders

Description

The abducens nerve is the sixth cranial nerve (CN VI). It is, along with the oculomotor nerve (CN III) and the trochlear nerve (CN IV), responsible for the extraocular motor functions of the eye. It has a purely somatic motor function, which is innervation of the lateral rectus muscle, an extraocular muscle.

Course

The abducens nerve emerges from the brainstem at the pontomedullary junction to enter the subarachnoid space, coursing upward between the pons and clivus to enter the Dorello canal. At the petrous apex, it angulates to enter the cavernous sinus and travels in close proximity to the internal carotid artery. The abducens nerve then proceeds through the superior orbital fissure and innervates the lateral rectus muscle. It has the longest intracranial course of all the cranial nerves.

Function

The abducens nerve is a purely somatic motor nerve, It has no sensory function. It innervates the lateral rectus muscle, an extraocular muscles of the eye, which is responsible for the abduction of the eyes on the same (ipsilateral) side.

The abducens nerve is also secondarily involved in innervation of the contralateral rectus muscle by way of the longitudinal fasciculus so that both eyes move laterally in a coordinated manner.

Clinical relevance

Compromise of the abducens nerve results in the inability to abduct the ipsilateral eye and partial decrease in the ability to adduct the contralateral eye. Patients usually present with binocular horizontal diplopia (double vision producing a side-by-side image with both eyes open), worse in the distance, an esotropia in primary gaze. Patients also may present with a head-turn to maintain binocularity and binocular fusion to minimize diplopia.

Damage to the abducens nerve can be caused by anything that compresses or stretches the nerve, such as tumors, aneurysms, fractures, or increased intracranial pressure (ICP).

Abducens Nerve Palsy

Assessment

The abducens nerve is examined in conjunction with the oculomotor and trochlear nerves by testing the movements of the eye. The patient is asked to follow a point with their eyes (commonly the tip of a pen) without moving their head. The target is moved in an ‘H-shape’ and the patient is asked to report any blurring of vision or diplopia (double vision).

Treatment

Neuromuscular re-education of the affected muscles can be an effective treatment of choice for abducens nerve palsy. Other treatment of abducens nerve palsy include eye muscle exercises, prism therapy, injection of botulinium toxin, strabismus surgery.