The Abducent Nerve (VI)

The fibers of the abducent nerve originate within the caudal brainstem and emerge from the brain close to the midline, as is typical for general somatic efferent fibers (see Fig. 8.19). The fibers travel intracranially to the orbital fissure (or the foramen orbitorotundum); within the orbit, the nerve divides into a branch to the lateral rectus and one to the retractor, although the exact innervation of the latter muscle is still controversial. Injury to the abducent nerve produces inability to deviate the eyeball laterally (p. 327).