Nervus trochlearis

The trochlear nerve is the fourth cranial nerve and is the motor nerve of the superior oblique muscle of the eye.  It can be divided into four parts:

  • nucleus and an intraparenchymal portion
  • cisternal portion
  • cavernous sinus portion
  • orbital portion
  • Gross anatomy

    Nucleus and intraparenchymal portion

    The trochlear nucleus is located in the dorsoventral midbrain, ventral to the periaqueductal grey matter. Its fibers course dorsally and decussate dorsal to the periaqueductal grey matter before exiting the brainstem immediately below the inferior colliculus. It is the only cranial nerve to exit the brainstem posteriorly.

    Cisternal portion

    The nerve rounds the cerebral peduncles in the ambient cistern. Eventually, along with the oculomotor nerve (CN III), it courses anteriorly between the superior cerebellar artery below and posterior cerebral artery above before piercing the dura between the free and attached edge of tentorium cerebelli.

    Cavernous sinus portion

    Within the cavernous sinus, the trochlear nerve is located initially below the oculomotor nerve in the lateral wall of the sinus, although by the time it reaches the superior orbital fissure, it lies above it (outside the tendinous ring). It is the "Tarts" in this infamous mnemonic.

    Orbital portion

    It enters the orbit outside the tendinous ring, between the superior ophthalmic vein and the superolateral quadrant of the ring. Once in the orbit, it arches up and medially above superior rectus and levator palpebrae superioris to innervate the superior oblique.

    Radiographic features

    MRI

    Although the nerve is very thin, on high-resolution T2 weighted imaging (e.g. FIESTA/CISS) it can be visualized as a very thin structure. Dedicated higher-resolution sequences can also be performed if greater detail is required .

    Related pathology

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