skip to main content

Cavernous Sinus – Cranial Nerve Contents — SCE Neurology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyNeuro-ophthalmologyCavernous Sinus – Cranial Nerve ContentsSCE Neurology

A 50-year-old man presents with left-sided headache and left eye pain. He has a complete left ptosis, left mydriasis (dilated unreactive pupil), and the left eye is deviated 'down and out'. He also has left forehead numbness. MRI brain shows a mass in the left cavernous sinus. Which cranial nerves pass through the cavernous sinus?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — III, IV, V1, V2, and VI — plus the internal carotid artery and sympathetic plexus

The cavernous sinus contains: CN III (oculomotor), CN IV (trochlear), CN V1 (ophthalmic division of trigeminal), CN V2 (maxillary division — in the inferior lateral wall), CN VI (abducens — passes through the centre of the sinus alongside the ICA), the internal carotid artery, and the sympathetic plexus around the ICA. A lesion here can therefore cause: ophthalmoplegia (III, IV, VI), facial numbness (V1, V2), Horner syndrome (sympathetic), and proptosis (impaired venous drainage). A: CN II passes through the optic canal, not cavernous sinus. C: VII, VIII are at the CPA and IAC. D: CN I is the olfactory nerve. E: XI, XII are at the jugular foramen.

Reference: Clinical Neuroanatomy