Sixth nerve palsy Flashcards
1
Q
What is the name of the sixth cranial nerve?
A
Abducens nerve
2
Q
What does the sixth cranial nerve control?
A
Lateral rectus muscle.
3
Q
What is the function of the abducens nerve?
A
Abduct the eye horizontally away from the midline
4
Q
What is the mian presenting feature of palsy of the sixth cranial nerve?
A
Double vision worse in the horizontal plane
5
Q
What is a sixth cranial nerve palsy known for being?
A
‘false localizing sign’
6
Q
Why is a sixth cranila nerve palsy known for being a false localising sign?
A
Due to the path of the sixth nerve within the brain, it is easily compromised in a state of raised intracranial pressure
7
Q
What are the possible causes of sixth nerve palsy?
A
Diabetic neuropathy
Stroke
Infection
Trauma
