Oculomotor nerve
Oculomotor Nerve
The Oculomotor Nerve (pronounced: ah-kyoo-loh-moh-ter nerv), also known as Cranial Nerve III, is the third of twelve paired cranial nerves. The etymology of the term "oculomotor" comes from the Latin words "oculus" meaning "eye" and "motor" meaning "mover".
Function
The Oculomotor Nerve is responsible for the majority of the eye's movements and for the constriction of the pupil and the regulation of the eye's accommodation to light. It innervates all the extrinsic eye muscles except for the superior oblique and the lateral rectus.
Structure
The Oculomotor Nerve originates in the Oculomotor nucleus of the midbrain. It exits the midbrain from the interpeduncular fossa, and passes between the superior cerebellar artery and the posterior cerebral artery.
Clinical significance
Damage to the Oculomotor Nerve can result in Oculomotor nerve palsy, a condition characterized by drooping of the eyelid (ptosis), dilated pupil (mydriasis), double vision (diplopia), and inability to coordinate the movements of both eyes (strabismus).
Related terms
- Cranial nerves
- Superior oblique muscle
- Lateral rectus muscle
- Oculomotor nucleus
- Midbrain
- Superior cerebellar artery
- Posterior cerebral artery
- Oculomotor nerve palsy
- Ptosis
- Mydriasis
- Diplopia
- Strabismus
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oculomotor nerve
- Wikipedia's article - Oculomotor nerve
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