Chapter contents
Overview
Origin & central course
Intracranial course
Final innervation
Coordination of muscles
Lower motor neuron lesion
Upper motor neuron lesion
MLF syndrome
| Cranial Nerve VI - Abducens Nerve | Page 2 of 8 |
Origin and central course
The fibers of the abducens nerve originate from the abducens nucleus located in the caudal pons at the level of the facial colliculus.
The nucleus is located just ventral to the fourth ventricle near the midline. Axons of CN VII (facial nerve) loop around the abducens nucleus and give rise to a bulge in the floor of the fourth ventricle - the facial colliculus.
Fibers leaving the abducens nucleus travel ventrally to exit the brainstem at the border of the pons and medullary pyramids.
Figure 6-4. Origin and central course.
