36. SUB NUCLEI
Each oculomotor nucleus consists of multiple
adjacent subnuclei that innervate specific
ocular muscles
The neurons are somatic motor (general
somatic efferent).
The paired lateral nuclei are the largest and
are situated anterior and lateral to the others;
their medial portions are fused into an
unpaired mass.
37. The lateral subnucleus innervates the
ipsilateral inferior oblique, ipsilateral inferior
rectus and medial rectus.
This forms the inferior division of the third
nerve
38. Superior rectus is innervated by contralateral
medial subnucleus.
Central caudal nucleus supplies LPS on both
sides.
EW nucleus provides the parasympathetic supply
to the eyes
These three form the superior division of the third
nerve
39.
40. So the filaments forming the third nerve are
1. Ipsilateral lateral subnucleus
2. Contralateral medial subnucleus
3. Central caudal nucleus
4. EW nucleus
41.
42. Through the nerve’s subarachnoid course, the
parasympathetic fibers lie superficially on the
dorsomedial surface. The location of these
fibers influences whether a third nerve palsy
will or will not involve the pupil, an important
differential diagnostic point
58. THE MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL
FASICULUS
MLF, an extensive and prominent fiber tract
that runs in the midline in the dorsal
tegmentum of the brainstem.
It coordinates lateral gaze by connecting the
sixth nerve nucleus on one side with the third
and fourth nerve nucleus of the opposite side,
allowing the two eyes to move synchronously.