Cranial Nerve VI – Abducens

Figure 21. Cranial Nerve VI – Abducens Nerve (shown in purple)

Figure 21. Cranial Nerve VI – Abducens Nerve (shown in purple)

The abducens nerve is a small, somatic efferent nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle of the eye. This muscle when contracted causes the eye to abduct hence the name of the nerve. It leaves the orbit along with cranial nerve III, IV and V1 through the superior orbital fissure.