ABDUCENT NERVE Meaning and
Definition
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The abducent nerve, also known as the sixth cranial nerve or the abducens nerve, is a motor nerve responsible for the movement of the lateral rectus muscle of the eye. It is one of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves that emerge directly from the brain.
The abducent nerve originates from the abducent nucleus, located in the lower part of the pons of the brainstem. It exits the skull through the superior orbital fissure, a small opening situated in the back of the eye socket, and continues into the orbit.
The main function of the abducent nerve is to control the abduction or outward movement of the eye. It innervates the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for moving the eye away from the midline of the body. This allows the eye to rotate laterally, facilitating horizontal eye movements such as looking towards the side.
Damage or dysfunction of the abducent nerve can lead to a condition known as abducens nerve palsy. This condition causes weakness or paralysis of the lateral rectus muscle, resulting in difficulty or inability to move the eye laterally. Common symptoms include double vision, crossed eyes, and an inward deviation of the affected eye.
In summary, the abducent nerve is a motor cranial nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle, enabling the eye to move laterally away from the midline. It plays a crucial role in horizontal eye movements and any damage to this nerve can lead to problems with eye coordination and movement.
Common Misspellings for ABDUCENT NERVE
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Etymology of ABDUCENT NERVE
The word "abducent" is derived from the Latin word "abducens", which means "drawing away". This term refers to the action of the abducent nerve, which is responsible for the abduction or outward movement of the eyeball. The word "nerve" comes from the Latin term "nervus", which also refers to a sinew or tendon. Therefore, "abducent nerve" describes the nerve that is involved in the movement of the eye.
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