Accessory oculomotor nuclei
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Not to be confused with the Edinger–Westphal nucleus (also known as the accessory oculomotor nucleus).
The accessory oculomotor nuclei are a group of nuclei situated in the rostral mesencephalon (midbrain) near its junction with the diencephalon, and consist of:[1]
- Interstitial nucleus of Cajal
- Rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus
- Nucleus of Darkschewitsch
- Nucleus of the posterior commissure
These nuclei are involved in vertical and rotatory gaze (physiology), and smooth pursuit. They receive afferents from the visual association area; they project efferents through the medial longitudinal fasciculus to the nuclei of cranial nerves controlling extrinsic eye muscles.[2]