Editing Danger triangle of the face (section)

== Infection of cavernous sinus ==
{{see also|Cavernous sinus thrombosis}}
If the [[cavernous sinus]] is infected, it can cause the blood within the sinus to [[coagulation|clot]], resulting in a [[cavernous sinus thrombosis]]. This affects the structures that are going through it or surround it. Inside the cavernous sinus, constriction of the following cranial nerves (CN) can be found: 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 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]].{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Failure of CN III will result in loss of function of the following muscles: [[medial rectus]], [[superior rectus]], [[inferior rectus]], and [[inferior oblique]], as well as muscles that are responsible for opening the eyelid: the [[levator palpebrae superioris muscle]] and the [[superior tarsal muscle]] (Müller's muscle). CN III damage also results in loss of parasympathetic innervation of the eye (loss of pupillary constriction and lens accommodation).{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}