Anatomy Atlases: Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus III: Nervous System: Cranial Nerves and Ganglia: Oculomotor (CN III) Nerve

Anatomy Atlases(tm) : A digital library of anatomy information

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus III: Nervous System: Cranial Nerves and Ganglia

Oculomotor (CN III) Nerve

Ronald A. Bergman, PhD
Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Ryosuke Miyauchi, MD
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Reported variations in the oculomotor nerve involve the occurrence of unusual branches or deviations in the course of its branches. The oculomotor may give rise to a branch that supplies the lateral rectus muscle, either in addition to or replacing its usual supply from the abducens nerve, which may be absent.

It may provide a branch to the superior oblique muscle.

The oculomotor nerve has been reported to communicate with the sixth nerve (abducens) as they pass through the cavernous sinus.

The upper division of the oculomotor nerve may communicate with the nasociliary nerve. In a minor variation in the orbital course of the oculomotor nerve to the inferior oblique muscle, some of its branches pierce the inferior rectus muscle or the ciliary ganglion.

The nerve has been found perforated, near its origin, by the posterior cerebral artery.

References

Busacca, A. (1925) Les anastomoses des nerfs moteurs de l'oeil dan la région du sinus caverneux. Arch. Ital. Biol. 75:145-146.

Cordier, -. et -. Coulouma. (1932) Recherches sur les nerfs du sinus carotidien et sur leurs variations. Assoc. Anatomistes Comptes Rendus 27:161-178.

Henle, J. (1868) Handbuch der Systematischen Anatomie des Menschen. von Friedrich Vieweg und Sohn, Braunschweig.

Hirschfield, L. (1866) Traité et Iconographic du Systême Nerveux et des Organes des Sens de l'Homme, Atlas, 2nd ed. Victor Masson et Fils, Paris.

Huber, G.C., Ed. (1930) Piersol's Human Anatomy, 9th ed. L.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia.

Isomura, G. (1977) Nerve supply for anomalous ocular muscle in man. Anat. Anz. 142:255-265.

Kopsch, F. (1908) Rauber's Lehrbuch der Anatomie des Menschen. Georg Thieme, Leipzig.

Latarjet, A. (1948) Testut's Traité d'Anatomie Humaine, 9th ed. G. Doin et Cie, Paris.

Schaefer, E.A., Symington, J. and T.H. Bryce, Eds. (1915) Quain's Anatomy, 11th ed. Longmans , Green, and Company, London.

Section Top | Title Page

Anatomy Atlases is curated by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D.

Please send us comments by filling out our Comment Form.

"Anatomy Atlases", the Anatomy Atlases logo, and "A digital library of anatomy information" are all Trademarks of Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.

Anatomy Atlases is funded in whole by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.

Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.

The information contained in Anatomy Atlases is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

URL: http://www.anatomyatlases.org/