J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 May;47(5):377-380. 10.3340/jkns.2010.47.5.377.

A Case of Aberrant Abducens Nerve in a Cadaver and Review of Its Clinical Significance

• Choi CY
• Han SR
• Yee GT
• Lee CH

• KMID: 2066777
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2010.47.5.377

Abstract

The abducens nerve usually travels from the brainstem to the lateral rectus muscle as a single trunk. However, it has been reported that this nerve could split into branches occasionally. We attempted to show the aberrant course of abducens nerve in a specimen with unilateral duplicated abducens nerve and review relevant literatures. The micro-dissections were performed in a head specimen injected with colored latex under the microscope. The abducens nerve was duplicated unilaterally. This nerve emerged from the pontomedullary sulcus as a single trunk and splitted into two branches in the prepontine cistern. These two separate branches were piercing the cerebral dura of the petroclival region respectively. The slender lower branch passed between the petroclinoid and petrosphenoid ligaments and the thick lower one passed under the petrosphenoid ligament. These two branches united just lateral to the ascending segment of internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. The fact that there are several types of aberrant abducens nerve is helpful to perform numerous neurosurgical procedures in the petroclival region and cavernous sinus without inadvertent neurovascular injuries

Keyword

Aberrant abducens nerve; Petroclival region

MeSH Terms

Abducens Nerve
Brain Stem
Cadaver
Carotid Artery, Internal
Cavernous Sinus
Head
Latex
Ligaments
Muscles
Neurosurgical Procedures
Latex