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 7 of 16 Somatic motor component, final innervation Within the orbit CN III fibers pass through the tendinous ring of the extraocular muscles and divide into superior and inferior divisions. The superior division ascends lateral to the optic nerve to innervate the superior rectus and and levator palpebrae superioris muscles on their deep surfaces. Figure 3-7a. Somatic motor component, final innervation, anterior view.

		The inferior division of CN III splits into three branches to innervate the medial rectus and inferior rectus muscles on their ocular surfaces and the inferior oblique muscle on its posterior surface. Figure 3-7b. Somatic motor component, final innervation.

Last revised: March 22, 1998