CN VI is the motor nerve to the lateral rectus, producing abduction (outward gaze). Its long intracranial course in the prepontine cistern makes it the most commonly injured cranial nerve in raised intracranial pressure (false localising sign — bilateral CN VI palsies from raised ICP stretch the nerve at the petrous apex). Isolated CN VI palsy produces medial deviation of the eye with horizontal diplopia worst on ipsilateral gaze.
| Origin | Abducens nucleus in the pons (facial nerve fibres loop around the abducens nucleus — hence the facial nerve genu) |
|---|
CN VI palsy causes: raised ICP (bilateral false localising), cavernous sinus pathology (with CN III, IV, V1, V2), petrous apex lesions (Gradenigo syndrome — with CN V and ipsilateral ear pain), microvascular ischaemia (diabetes, hypertension — usually resolves within 3-4 months). Prism glasses correct horizontal diplopia; Botox injection into the ipsilateral medial rectus prevents contracture during recovery.
Lateral rectus paralysis producing horizontal diplopia managed with prism correction and observation for spontaneous recovery of microvascular cases.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
