The somatic motor component of CN III innervates the following four extraocular muscles of the eyes:

Ipsilateral inferior rectus muscle

Ipsilateral inferior oblique muscle

Ipsilateral medial rectus muscle

Contralateral superior rectus muscle

The remaining extraocular muscles, the superior oblique and lateral rectus muscles, are innervated by the trochlear nerve (CN IV) and abducens nerve (CN VI), respectively.

The somatic motor component of CN III also innervates the levator palpebrae superioris muscles bilaterally. These muscles elevate the upper eyelids.


Overview, somatic motor component of CN III.