Nerve, abducent
to supply a muscle called the lateral rectus muscle that moves the eye outward.
Paralysis of the abducens nerve causes inward turning of the eye (internal strabismus) leading to double vision.
The abducens nerve is the sixth cranial nerve. All 12 cranial nerves, the abducens nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column.
The word “abducens” comes from the Latin “ab-“, away from + “ducere”, to draw = to draw away. The abducens (or abducens) operates the lateral rectus muscle that draws the eye toward the side of the head. The abducens nerve is also called the abducens nerve.
Read Also:
- Nerve, afferent
A nerve that carries impulses toward the central nervous system.
- Nerve, efferent
A nerve that carries impulses away from the central nervous system.
- Nerve, eighth cranial
The eighth cranial nerve is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for the sense of hearing and it is also pertinent to balance, to the body position sense. Problems with the vestibulocochlear nerve may result in deafness, tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ears), dizziness, vertigo and vomiting. The 12 cranial nerves, the […]
- Nerve, eleventh cranial
The eleventh cranial nerve is the accessory nerve. The twelve cranial nerves, the accessory nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium) as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column. The accessory is so-called because, although it arises in the brain, it receives an additional (accessory) root from the […]
- Nerve, facial
The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. It is a mixed nerve that has fibers both going out and coming in (both efferent and afferent fibers). It supplies the muscles of facial expression. Paralysis of the facial nerve causes a characteristic picture with drooping of one side of the face, inability to wrinkle the […]