Oculomotor motion disorders: current imaging of cranial nerves 3, 4, and 6

Abstract

The eye movements are controlled by the cranial nerves 3, 4, and 6 working in close cooperation under the supervision of the voluntary cortex. Clinically, the most common presentation of abnormal ocular motor motion is double vision. A thorough clinical examination can usually separate a local orbital cause which can produce a restriction of the muscles moving the eye from a neurogenic cause due to an abnormality of one of the three nerves or their association pathways. Recent articles in the scientific literature have described major advances in our understanding of the anatomy and vascular relationships of the three ocular motor nerves (cranial nerves 3, 4, and 6) and of the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of pathological processes that damage these nerves, including ischemia, inflammation, and compression.