Neurológia pre prax 5/2012

Diseases affecting the third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerves

The review article deals with various causes of impaired structure and function of oculomotor cranial nerves. The oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, and abducent nerve share several common characteristics, but also have various unique features, e.g. those determined by anatomic factors and physiological mechanisms. Particular emphasis is placed on conditions that underlie the development of oculomotor disorders by damaging the nuclear or peripheral parts of the third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerves. On the contrary, the article does not deal with, for example, diseases of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction or of the oculomotor muscles.

Keywords: nerve palsy, oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, abducent nerve, oculomotor disorder.