GO:0021558

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the trochlear nerve over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The trochlear nerve is a motor nerve and is the only cranial nerve to exit the brain dorsally. The trochlear nerve innervates the superior oblique muscle. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid, GOC:mtg_15jun06, ISBN:0838580343]