Danger Triangle of The Face - Inflammation of Cavernous Sinus

Inflammation of Cavernous Sinus

If the cavernous sinus gets inflamed it will constrict the structures that are going through it or surround it. Inside cavernous sinus we can find constriction of the following nerves: CN III (oculomotor nerve), CN IV (trochlear nerve), CN VI (abducens nerve), CN V (trigeminal nerve), specifically V1 (ophthalmic nerve) and V2 (maxillary nerve) branches. Failure of each of the nerves listed above will manifest in loss of function of the specific muscle, gland or a parasympathetic innervations (from CN III). In addition, it is possible that inflammation of the cavernous sinus will result in compression of the optic chiasm (resulting in vision problems) and/or the pituitary gland.

Failure of CN III will result in loss of function of the following eye muscles: medial rectus, superior rectus, inferior rectus, as well as muscles that are responsible for opening the eyelid: levator palpebrae superioris muscle and the superior tarsal muscle (Muller’s muscle). CN III damage also results in loss of parasympathetic innervation of the eye (loss of pupillary constriction and lens accommodation).