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Recurrent nerve
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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The abducens nerve (n. abducens) is predominantly motor. The origin of the abducens nerve is located at the posterior edge of the pons, between the pons and the pyramid of the medulla oblongata. The abducens nerve pierces the dura mater of the brain, passes laterally from the internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. Along the cavernous sinus, the abducens nerve includes autonomic fibers from the internal carotid plexus. Through the superior orbital fissure, the abducens nerve passes into the orbit, located above the oculomotor nerve. In the orbit, the abducens nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, entering it from the inside.
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