A patient sustains a fracture of the sphenoid bone. On examination, there is complete ophthalmoplegia involving the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves, with sensory loss over the forehead and upper eyelid. Sensation over the cheek is intact. The lesion is located at which anatomical site?

• A Superior orbital fissure ✓
• B Cavernous sinus
• C Foramen rotundum
• D Jugular foramen

Explanation

The superior orbital fissure transmits cranial nerves III, IV, V1, and VI. B lesion here causes ophthalmoplegia and V1 sensory loss while sparing V2, which exits via the foramen rotundum. B cavernous sinus lesion would typically affect both V1 and V2. Foramen rotundum only transmits V2, causing isolated cheek numbness without ophthalmoplegia. The jugular foramen transmits CN IX, X, and XI.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.