Chapter contents Overview Somatic motor component Origin, central course Intracranial course Final innervation Visceral motor component Origin and course Final innervation

Cranial Nerve III - Oculomotor Nerve Page 1 of 16 Overview Consists of two components with distinct functions: Somatic motor (general somatic efferent) Supplies four of the six extraocular muscles of the eye and the levator palpebrae superioris muscle of the upper eyelid. Visceral motor (general visceral efferent) Parasympathetic innervation of the constrictor pupillae and ciliary muscles. The somatic motor component of CN III plays a major role in controlling the muscles responsible for the precise movement of the eyes for visual tracking or fixation on an object. The visceral motor component is involved in the pupillary light and accomodation reflexes. Figure 3-1. Overview of occulomotor nerve components.

Last revised: March 22, 1998