Trochlear nerve

Definition

The trochlear nerve is a cranial nerve that primarily controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye, which is responsible for downward and inward movements of the eyeball. It is unique among cranial nerves for emerging from the dorsal aspect of the brainstem.

Related terms

Cranial Nerves: Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain and provide motor and sensory functions to the head, neck, and some body parts.

Superior Oblique Muscle: A muscle in the orbit of the eye that engages to rotate the eyeball downward and outward.

Brainstem: The posterior part of the brain, adjoining and structurally continuous with the spinal cord, providing main motor and sensory innervation to the face and neck via cranial nerves