Abducens nucleus 2088203 207398163 2008-04-22T17:11:07Z Arcadian 104523 /* Additional images */ -image (sensory only) {{Infobox Brain| Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = nucleus nervi abducentis | GraySubject = 187 | GrayPage = 787 | Image = Gray696.png | Caption = The [[cranial nerve nuclei]] schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue. The olfactory and optic centers are not represented. (Abducens nucleus is VI)| Image2 = | Caption2 = | IsPartOf = [[Pons]]| Components = | Artery = Pontine branches of the [[Basilar artery]]| Vein = | BrainInfoType = hier | BrainInfoNumber = 580 | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = n_11 | DorlandsSuf = 12581919 | }} The '''abducens nucleus''' is the originating nucleus from which the [[abducens nerve]] emerges - a [[cranial nerve nucleus]]. This nucleus is located beneath the [[fourth ventricle]] in the [[Anatomical terms of location|caudal]] portion of the [[pons]], [[Anatomical terms of location|medial]] to the [[sulcus limitans]]. The abducens nucleus along with the [[internal genu]] of the [[facial nerve]] make up the [[facial colliculus]], a hump at the caudal end of the [[medial eminence]] on the dorsal aspect of the pons. ==Clinical significance== Damage to the abducens nucleus causes monocular medial [[ophthalmoparesis]]: specifically, loss of the ability to move the ipsilateral eye outward (abduction). This is also seen in damage of the [[abducens nerve]]. In contrast, damage to the area of the '''nucleus''' can also result in [[ophthalmoparesis|lateral gaze paralysis]]: loss of the ability to move both eyes conjugately away from the side of the lesion. This is due to damage to both the [[motoneuron]]s and [[interneuron]]s projecting through the [[medial longitudinal fasciculus]] to the contralateral [[medial rectus]] [[neuron]]s. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray697.png|Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view. Image:Gray774.png|Scheme showing central connections of the optic nerves and optic tracts. Image:Gray785.png|Figure showing the mode of innervation of the Recti medialis and lateralis of the eye. Image:Brainstem Abducens.png|Axial section of the Brainstem (Pons) at the level of the Facial Colliculus Image:ThreeNeuronArc.png |[[Vestibulo-ocular reflex]] Image:Brain stem sagittal section.svg|Brain stem sagittal section </gallery> ==External links== * {{BrainstemWisconsin|13VNAN}} * {{LoyolaMedEd|Neuro/frames/nlBSs/nl27fr.htm}} * [http://isc.temple.edu/neuroanatomy/lab/embryo_new/pons/2/ Template (look for "GSE")] * {{BrainMaps|Abducens%20nucleus|Abducens nucleus}} {{Rhombencephalon}} {{Cranial nerves}} [[Category:Brainstem]] [[Category:Cranial nerves]] {{eye-stub}}