View source for Sixth nerve palsy

{{DiseaseDisorder infobox |
  Name           = Sixth nerve palsy |
  ICD10          = {{ICD10|H|49|2|h|49}} |
  ICD9           = {{ICD9|378.54}} |
  ICDO           = |
  Image          = Gray785.png |
  Caption        = Figure showing the mode of innervation of the Recti medialis and lateralis of the eye. |
  OMIM           = |
  MedlinePlus    = |
  eMedicineSubj  = |
  eMedicineTopic = |
  DiseasesDB     = 2868 |
  MeshName       = Sixth+Nerve+Palsy |
  MeshNumber     = C10.292.150 |
}}
{{SI}}

{{CMG}}

'''''Synonyms and Keywords:''''' Abducens nerve palsy, Cranial nerve VI palsy, Cranial [[mononeuropathy]] VI, Lateral rectus palsy

==Overview==
Sixth nerve palsy is a disorder associated with dysfunction of [[cranial nerve]] VI (the [[abducens nerve]]) which is responsible for contracting the [[lateral rectus muscle]] to [[Anatomical terms of motion|abduct]] (i.e. turn out) the [[eye]]. The inability of an eye to turn outward results in [[medial strabismus]] of which the primary symptom is [[double vision]] in which the two images appear side-by-side.

==Pathophysiology==
Because the nerve emerges near the bottom of the [[brain]], it is often the first nerve compressed when there is any [[rise in intracranial pressure]].

==Epidemiology and Demographics==
The abducens nerve is the most commonly affected ocular [[motor nerve]]<ref name="Ehrenhaus">Ehrenhaus, MP. ''[http://www.emedicine.com/OPH/topic158.htm Abducens Nerve Palsy.]'' eMedicine.com. October 9, 2003.</ref>.

==Causes==
*Adults
**More common: Vasculopathic ([[diabetes]], [[hypertension]], [[atherosclerosis]]), [[Physical trauma|trauma]], [[idiopathic]].
**Less common: Increased [[intracranial pressure]], [[giant cell arteritis]], cavernous sinus mass (e.g. [[meningioma]], [[aneurysm]], [[metastasis]]), [[multiple sclerosis]], [[sarcoidosis]]/[[vasculitis]], postmyelography or [[lumbar puncture]], [[stroke]] (usually not isolated).
*Children
**Benign postviral condition, [[Gradenigo's syndrome]], [[pontine]] [[glioma]], trauma.

==Diagnosis==
===Symptoms===
*[[Double vision]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==See also==
* [[Congenital fourth nerve palsy]]

==External links==
* [http://www.mrcophth.com/eyeclipartchua/6nervepalsy.html Animation] at mrcophth.com

{{Eye pathology}}

[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Neurology]]


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