Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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J Korean Neurosurg Soc · May 2010
A case of aberrant abducens nerve in a cadaver and review of its clinical significance.
The abducens nerve usually travels from the brainstem to the lateral rectus muscle as a single trunk. However, it has been reported that this nerve could split into branches occasionally. We attempted to show the aberrant course of abducens nerve in a specimen with unilateral duplicated abducens nerve and review relevant literatures. ⋯ The slender lower branch passed between the petroclinoid and petrosphenoid ligaments and the thick lower one passed under the petrosphenoid ligament. These two branches united just lateral to the ascending segment of internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. The fact that there are several types of aberrant abducens nerve is helpful to perform numerous neurosurgical procedures in the petroclival region and cavernous sinus without inadvertent neurovascular injuries.