Abducens

Question 1

What base of skull foramina does the abducens nerve pass through?

Answer 1

Superior orbital fissure

Question 2

What type of information is carried on the abducens nerve?

Answer 2

Motor

Question 3

What is the function of the abducens nerve?

Answer 3

Motor supply to the lateral rectus muscle

Question 4

What is the function of the lateral rectus muscle?

Answer 4

Abducts the eyeball

Question 5

Where do the motor neurones of the abducens nerve originate?

Answer 5

The abducens nuclei at the pons, specifically the pontomedullary junction

Question 6

Describe the intracranial path of the abducens nerve?

Answer 6

Passes from its nuclei at the pontomedullary junction and travels towards the orbit within the cavernous sinus

Question 7

The abducens nerve is located close to which other structure? Give an example of a pathology affecting that structure which could therefore affect the abducens nerve?

Answer 7

Internal carotid artery / aneurysm

Question 8

How should the abducens nerve be tested?

Answer 8

H test to assess eye movements