Trochlear Nerve
(N. Trochlearis; Fourth Nerve)
The trochlear nerve (Fig. 90776), the smallest of the cranial nerves, supplies the Obliquus superior oculi. |
| It arises from a nucleus situated in the floor of the cerebral aqueduct, opposite the upper part of the inferior colliculus. From its origin it runs downward through the tegmentum, and then turns backward into the upper part of the anterior medullary velum. Here it decussates with its fellow of the opposite side and emerges from the surface of the velum at the side of the frenulum veli, immediately behind the inferior colliculus. |
| The nerve is directed across the superior cerebellar peduncle, and then winds forward around the cerebral peduncle, immediately above the pons, pierces the dura mater in the free border of the tentorium cerebelli, just behind, and lateral to, the posterior clinoid process, and passes forward in the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, between the oculomotor nerve and the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal. It crosses the oculomotor nerve, and enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure. It now becomes the highest of all the nerves, and lies medial to the frontal nerve. In the orbit it passes medialward, above the origin of the Levator palpebræ superioris, and finally enters the orbital surface of the Obliquus superior. |
| FIG. 90776 Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above.
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| In the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus the trochlear nerve forms communications with the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal and with the cavernous plexus of the sympathetic. In the superior orbital fissure it occasionally gives off a branch to the lacrimal nerve. It gives off a recurrent branch which passes backward between the layers of the tentorium cerebelli and divides into two or three filaments which may be traced as far as the wall of the transverse sinus. |
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Gray's Anatomy 1. Embriology 2. Osteology  Vertebral Column
 Skull
Exterior Skull Interior Skull  Cranial Bones
 Facial Bones
 Extremities
Upper Extremity Bones Hand Lower Extremity Bones Foot 3. Arthrology  Trunk Articulations
Vertebral Column Articulations  Upper Extremity Articulations
 Pelvis Articulations
 Lower Extremity Articulations
4. Myology  Muscles of the Head
Muscles of the Anterolateral Region of the Neck  Muscles of the Trunk
 Muscles of the Upper Extremity
 Muscles of the Lower Extremity
Muscles and Fascia of the Thigh Muscles and Fascia of the Leg 5. Angiology  Thoracic Cavity
6. The Arteries  Arteries of the Head and Neck
a) Common Carotid Artery  Arteries of the Upper Extremity
Axilla  Arteries of the Trunk
Descending Aorta Common Iliac Arteries  Arteries of the Lower Extremity
7. The Veins  Systemic Veins
Veins of the Head and Neck 8. The Lymphatic System 9. Neurology  Brain or Encephalon
 Cranial Nerves
 Spinal Nerves
 Sympathetic Nerves
10. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument  The Peripheral Organs of the Special Senses
11. Splanchnology  The Respiratory Apparatus
 The Digestive Apparatus
 The Urogenital Apparatus
a. Development of the Urinary and Generative Organs b. The Urinary Organs c. The Male Genital Organs d. The Female Genital Organs  The Ductless Glands
12. Surface Anatomy and Surface Markings  Muscle Tables
Quizzes  1. Introduction
 2. Head & Face
 3. Neck
 4. Torso
 5. Shoulder & Arm
 6. Forearm, Wrist & Hand
 7. Hip, Thigh & Knee
 8. Leg, Ankle & Foot
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