MODULE 9 - SECTION 3 - THE CRANIAL NERVES of the OCULOMOTOR SYSTEM

- - - You can call up these slides either by using Figure 9-1 and Figure 9-2 or by clicking on the individual slides below. The advantage of using Figures. 9-1 and 9-2 is that the dorsal view of the brainstem should help you to orient each view. With one of these figures on the screen, call up one section, then use the "one slide rostral/caudal" to scroll through the rest.

----- - - - The oculomotor nucleus is best seen in Cu Slide 22 and Cu Slide 23. The light pink region in Cu Slide 24 probably represent the general visceral efferent subdivision of the nucleus, i.e., the Edinger Westphal Nucleus. The exiting fibers of the nerve pass somewhat rostrally and spread out in a broad array. They can be seen in Cu Slide 25, Cu Slide 26 and Cu Slide 27.

----- - - - The trochlear nucleus is seen only in Cu Slide 21. The exiting fibers pass caudally and "wrap around" the cerebral aqueduct in Cu Slide 20, Cu Slide 19, Cu Slide 18 and Cu Slide 17. They then decussate in the anterior medullary velum and depart from the brain in Cu Slide 16.

----- - - - The abducens nucleus is present only in Cu Slide 11 with the exiting fibers visible in Cu Slide 12. Note the unusual relationship of the nucleus to the exiting fibers of the facial nerve.

 

OCULOMOTOR NUCLEUS on SLIDE 22

EXITING ABDUCENS FIBER
on SLIDE 12