abducens nerve


noun Anatomy.

either one of the sixth pair of cranial nerves composed of motor fibers that innervate the lateral rectus muscle of the eye.
Also called abducens, abducent nerve.

Origin of abducens nerve

First recorded in 1900–05

British Dictionary definitions for abducent nerve

abducens nerve
/ (æbˈdjuːsənz) /

noun

either of the sixth pair of cranial nerves, which supply the lateral rectus muscle of the eye

Word Origin for abducens nerve

see abducent

Medical definitions for abducent nerve

abducent nerve

n.

The small motor nerve supplying the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, originating in the dorsal part of the tegmentum of the pons, passing through the cavernous sinus, and entering the orbit through the superior orbital fissure. sixth cranial nerve

Scientific definitions for abducent nerve

abducent nerve
[ ăb-dōōsənt ]

The sixth cranial nerve, one of a pair of small motor nerves supplying the eye muscles that control lateral movement. It originates in the pons of the brain, passes through a large venous space known as the cavernous sinus, and enters the orbit of the eye.