INTRODUCTION: The main structures involved in the control of vertical gaze, both saccades, smooth pursuit and oculovestibular reflexes, are the rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus, posterior commissure, interstitial nucleus of Cajal, oculomotor complex and trochlear nerve nucleus. Despite knowing the functions of these nuclei, and their main interconnections, afferents and efferents, there is no definitive and contrasted model of vertical gaze control in humans. AIM: Through the description of three cases, and as described in scientific literature, our aim is to review the models described to date. DEVELOPMENT: The control of vertical saccades generates in the rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus, projecting to the pertinent oculomotor nuclei ipsilaterally for the inferior gaze, and bilaterally for the superior gaze. CONCLUSIONS: The double cross-innervation of the nuclei responsible for superior gaze, implies that unilateral lesions predominantly affect the inferior gaze.
INTRODUCTION: The main structures involved in the control of vertical gaze, both saccades, smooth pursuit and oculovestibular reflexes, are the rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus, posterior commissure, interstitial nucleus of Cajal, oculomotor complex and trochlear nerve nucleus. Despite knowing the functions of these nuclei, and their main interconnections, afferents and efferents, there is no definitive and contrasted model of vertical gaze control in humans. AIM: Through the description of three cases, and as described in scientific literature, our aim is to review the models described to date. DEVELOPMENT: The control of vertical saccades generates in the rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus, projecting to the pertinent oculomotor nuclei ipsilaterally for the inferior gaze, and bilaterally for the superior gaze. CONCLUSIONS: The double cross-innervation of the nuclei responsible for superior gaze, implies that unilateral lesions predominantly affect the inferior gaze.