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Paralyses of the ocular muscles are frequently encountered in the practice of ophthalmology and otolaryngotology. Paralysis of the external rectus muscle is the most common of these, and paralysis of the superior oblique muscle is next in frequency. Isolated paralysis of any of the remaining four muscles is much less common. Combined paralysis of some or all of the four muscles supplied by the oculomotor nerve is common.
Paralysis or paresis of the inferior oblique muscle, however, is exceedingly rare, and few ophthalmologists or otolaryngologistts have observed a case of isolated paralysis of thiis muscle.
Nevertheless, it is conceivable that involvement of the floor of the orbit in periostitis, osteomyelitis or direct trauma to the muscle at its point of attachment may produce paresis or paralysis of the inferior oblique muscle. Before going into the consideration of the causative mechanism and the sequence of events in such an involvement, however,