Of all the cranial nerves, the abducens nerve has the longest intracranial course. It is located in the pons at the floor of the fourth ventricle, at the same level as the facial colliculus. In fact, the axons of the facial nerve loop around the posterior aspect of the abducens nucleus.

Where is the abducens nerve located in the brain?

Structure and Location

The abducens nerve emerges from the brainstem, which sits low in the back of your brain and connects to the spinal column. The specific area the nerve comes from is called the abducens nucleus. It leaves the brainstem and passes through an area of the brain called the subarachnoid space.

Where does the abducens nerve originate?

The abducens nerve originates from a set of neural cells that are found in the ventral aspect of the pons. It then emerges from the brainstem at the pontomedullary junction to enter the subarachnoid space, coursing upward between the pons and clivus to enter the Dorello canal.