Abducens Nerve (Noun)
Meaning
A small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The abducens nerve is the sixth cranial nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.
- Damage to the abducens nerve can cause paralysis of the lateral rectus muscle, resulting in medial strabismus.
- The abducens nerve arises from the pons and courses anteriorly to the cavernous sinus before entering the orbit through the superior orbital fissure.
- During surgery, care must be taken to avoid damaging the abducens nerve to prevent post-operative eye movement problems.
- Aneurysms or tumors compressing the abducens nerve can cause isolated lateral rectus weakness.