CN III Course


The oculomotor nerve exits the brainstem anteriorly at the interpeduncular cistern. It then passes between the posterior cerebral and superior cerebellar arteries, into the cavernous sinus. It runs superior to CN IV in the cavernous sinus and exits through the superior orbital fissure. Parasympathetic fibers innervate the ciliary ganglion while motor fibers innervate the levator palpebrae superioris, superior, medial and inferior rectus and inferior oblique. Occulomotor nuclei are located in the midbrain at the level of the superior colliculus.        

  1. Gross Cross Section
  2. Cartoon