Dorello canal

Dorello canal channels the abducens nerve (CN VI) from the pontine cistern to the cavernous sinus.

Gross anatomy

Dorello canal is found at the medial most end of the petrous ridge at the confluence of the inferior petrosal, basal, and cavernous sinuses.

Boundaries

• superiorly: petrosphenoidal ligament (Gruber ligament)
• Inferiorly: bounded by a bony notch formed, from lateral to medial, by:
  • petrous ridge
  • petrosphenoidal suture
  • superolateral aspect of the clivus, immediately beneath the posterior clinoid

History and etymology

Named after Primo Dorello (1872-1963), the Italian anatomist who described the anatomical relationship of structures within the canal in 1905 .

See also

• Gradenigo syndrome: inflammation of the nerve in Dorello canal secondary to petrous apicitis.
• neoplastic lesions like meningioma, schwannoma and solitary fibrous tumors in some cases, may invade the Dorello canal and cause abducens nerve palsy

Siehe auch:

• Gradenigo-Syndrom
• Nervus abducens
• Pyramidenspitzen-Osteomyelitis