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}}