Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2000 , Vol 10 , Num 3
THE COURSE OF THE ABDUCENS NERVE AT THE PETROCLIVAL REGION: ANATOMICAL STUDY
M. Faik ÖZVEREN1, Koichi UCHIDA4, İbrahim TEKDEMİR2, Takeshi KAWASE4, Haluk DEDA3, Fatih S. EROL1, İsmail AKDEMİR1
1Fırat Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Nöroşirürji, Elazığ
2Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Anatomi, Ankara
3Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Nöroşirürji, Ankara
4Keio Üniversitesi Nöroşirürji, AB.D., Tokyo
IAdvances in skull base surgery increased the clinical importance of the petroclival part of the abducens nerve. The anatomical studies of this region is helpful in operative management strategies, as well as in explaining the abducens nerve palsy mechanisms. The anatomy of the abducens nerve at the petroclival region was defined in detail through microsurgical dissections in 4 cadavers and histological examination in one. It was found that the nervus abducens was surrounded by arachnoid membrane and dural sheath at the petroclival region. Three angulation points of the abducens nerve were observed at the petroklival region; first at the dural entrance porus, second at the petrous apex, and third at the lateral wall of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. It was concluded that the entrapment of the abducens nerve at the third angulation point was enhanced by the following factors; thinning of the dural sheath of the abducens nerve, anastomosis with the sympathetic plexus and trigeminal nerve, and fibrous extensions to the Meckel's cave and internal carotid artery. Anahtar Kelimeler : dura mater, nerve injury, nervus abducens, petrous apex