Oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves penetrated by cerebral vessels. Microanatomy and possible clinical significance.

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.