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Diagram of the neural fibers passing through the sixth nerve nucleus on the right

(1) Fibers to the ipsilateral lateral rectus in the abducens nerve. (2) Fibers to the contralateral medial rectus through the medial longitudinal fasciculus to the contralateral third nerve nucleus and then through the oculomotor nerve to the medial rectus. Thus, lesions to the sixth nerve nucleus typically produce an ipsilateral gaze palsy. Note that the medial longitudinal fasciculous is labeled as “p.h,f." for "posterior horizontal fibers." (Source: W.R. Gowers. A Manual of Diseases of the Nervous System, 1888. Public domain.)

Associated Disorders

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  • Supranuclear palsies
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