Anatomy: The Autonomic Pathways of the Eye

Question 1

Name the functions of CN III in the eye

Answer 1

Somatic motor to majority of the extraocular muscles

Presynaptic parasympathetic axons to the ciliary ganglion

Question 2

Name the arteries which carry the internal and external nerves to the organs of the head

Answer 2

Internal and external carotid arteries

Question 3

What is the ciliary ganglion?

Answer 3

Parasympathetic ganglion located in bony orbit

Question 4

Describe the pathway of CN III from the brain to the eye

Answer 4

Connects with CNS at the junction of midbrain and pons

Passes through cavernous sinus

Exits via superior orbital fissure and splits into superior and inferior divisions

Question 5

Name the sympathetic nerve ganglion which supplies the head and neck

Answer 5

Superior cervical sympathetic ganglion

Question 6

Where does sympathetic innervation of the body originate?

Answer 6

Autonomic centres in brain

Question 7

How do parasympathetic axons leave the CNS?

Answer 7

Some cranial nerves (III, VII, IX and X) and via sacral spinal nerves

Question 8

Describe the sympathetic innervation pathway

Answer 8

1. Travels from autonomic centres in brain and travels down the spinal cord
2. Exits spinal cord with T1-L2 spinal nerves
3. Travel to sympathetic chains
4. Pass into all spinal nerves
5. Pass into splanchnic nerves to eventually supply organs

Question 9

Sympathetic fibres exit the spinal cord with __-__ spinal nerves

Answer 9

T1-L2

Question 10

Name the cranial nerves which contain parasympathetic axons

Answer 10

III, VII, IX and X

Question 11

Which cranial nerve supplies parasympathetic innervation to the ciliary ganglion?

Answer 11

CN III

Question 12

Name the artery which carries sympathetic axons into the orbit

Answer 12

Opthalmic artery