This nucleus is located beneath the fourth ventricle in the caudal portion of the pons near the midline,[1] medial to the sulcus limitans.

This "wiring" pattern suggests that the main function of the abducens nucleus is to generate coordinated movements of both eyes in the same direction.

Finally, experiments where the electrical activity of single neurons in the abducens nucleus has been recorded during slow and fast conjugate eye movements have demonstrated very little differences in the discharge patterns of motoneurons and interneurons.

Infantile esotropia may originate from problems in the abducens nucleus firing rate when there is poor abduction in an infant.

This is due to damage to both the lower motor neurons that innervate the ipsilateral lateral rectus and internuclear neurons that projecting through the contra lateral medial longitudinal fasciculus to the medial rectus subnucleus of the oculomotor nucleus.