Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Fourth nerve palsy
Introduction
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Overview
Overview
Fourth nerve palsy is a condition caused by weakness or paralysis of the superior oblique muscle. When present at birth, it is known as congenital fourth nerve palsy.
Causes
Causes
- Brown’s syndrome: Restriction of superior oblique movement is found in Brown’s syndrome, leading to difficulty elevating the eye in the adducted position
- Congenital fourth nerve palsy
- Head trauma: Superior oblique palsy is a common complication of closed head trauma
- Superior oblique myokymia is an uncommon neurological condition caused by vascular compression of the trochlear nerve resulting in repeated, brief, involuntary episodes of movement of the eye.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]