Fourth nerve palsy

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Fourth cranial nerve palsy
Trochlear nerve.png
Trochlear nerve
Classification and external resources
Specialty Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
ICD-10 H49.1
ICD-9-CM 378.53
eMedicine oph/697
Patient UK Fourth nerve palsy
MeSH D020432
[[[d:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 863: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|edit on Wikidata]]]

Fourth cranial nerve palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis to the superior oblique muscle. This condition often causes vertical or near vertical double vision as the weakened muscle prevents the eyes from moving in the same direction together.

Because the fourth cranial nerve is the thinnest and has the longest intracranial course of the cranial nerves, it is particularly vulnerable to traumatic injury.

To compensate for the double-vision resulting from the weakness of the superior oblique, patients characteristically tilt their head down and to the side opposite the affected muscle.

When present at birth, it is known as congenital fourth nerve palsy.

See also