Cranial nerve related to apex of the petrous temporal bone
In the intraneural course,the fibres of VI nerve runs veically and downwardsthrough the trapezoid body,medial lemniscus and basilar pa of the pons to reach the lower border of the pons. The nerve is attached to the lower border of the pons,opposite the upper end of the pyramid of the medulla. The nerve then runs upwards,forwards and laterally through the cristerna pontis and usually dorsal to the anterior inferior cerebellar aery to reach the cavernous sinus. The ebducent nerve enters the cavernous sinus by piercing its posterior wall at a point lateral to the dorsum sellae and superior to the apex of the petrous temporal bone. As the nerve crosses the superior border of the petrous temporal bone,it passes beneath the petrosphenoidal ligament,and bends sharply forwards. In the cavernous sinus,at first it lies lateral to the internal carotid aery and then inferolateral to it. The abducent nerve enters the orbit through the middle pa of the superior orbital fissure. Here it lies inferolateral to the occulomotor and nasociliary nerves. In the orbit,the nerve ends by supplying only the lateral rectus muscle. It enters the ocular surface of the muscle. Ref BDC volume 3.6th edition pg 365
VIII
VII
VI
V
Head and neck