Oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves penetrated by cerebral vessels. Microanatomy and possible clinical significance
M. Milisavljevic, S. Marinkovic, V. Lolic-Draganic and M. Kovacevic
Twenty formaldehyde-fixed brains were examined under the stereoscopic
microscope. In 12 brains (60%), the oculomotor nerves were penetrated by
the circumflex mesencephalic artery or by a branch of the perforating
vessels of the posterior cerebral artery, either on one side (40%) or on
both (20%). In one brain (5%), a particular relationship was noticed
between the trochlear nerve and the superior cerebellar artery. The
abducens nerves were penetrated by the corresponding pontine veins in three
brains (15%). These anatomical findings might have important clinical
implications.
