Edinger-Westphal nucleus
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{{Infobox Brain|
Name = Edinger-Westphal nucleus |
Latin = nuclei accessorii nervi oculomotorii |
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Image = cn3nucleus.png |
Caption = Section through superior colliculus (unlabeled) showing path of [[oculomotor nerve]]. ("Edinger-Westphal nucleus" is not on diagram, but would be near oculomotor nuclei.) |
Image2 = Gray762.png |
Caption2 = Figure showing the different groups of cells, which constitute, according to Perlia, the nucleus of origin of the oculomotor nerve.<BR>1. Posterior dorsal nucleus.<BR>1’. Posterior ventral nucleus.<BR>2. Anterior dorsal nucleus.<BR>2’. Anterior ventral nucleus.<BR>3. Central nucleus.<BR>4. '''Nucleus of Edinger and Westphal'''.<BR>5. Antero-internal nucleus.<BR>6. Antero-external nucleus.<BR>8. Crossed fibers.<BR>9. [[Trochlear nerve]], with 9’, its nucleus of origin, and 9", its [[decussation]].<BR>10. [[Third ventricle]].<BR>M, M. Median line. |
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BrainInfoType = hier |
BrainInfoNumber = 489 |
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DorlandsPre = n_11 |
DorlandsSuf = 12580082 |
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The '''Edinger-Westphal nucleus''' (also known as the '''accessory oculomotor nucleus ''') is the accessory [[parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic]] [[cranial nerve nucleus]] of the [[oculomotor nerve]] ([[cranial nerve]] III), supplying the constricting [[muscle]]s of the [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]].
==Location==
The paired nuclei are [[posterior]] to the main motor nucleus ([[oculomotor nucleus]]) and anterolateral to the [[cerebral aqueduct]] in the [[rostral]] [[midbrain]] at the level of the [[superior colliculus]].
It is the most [[rostral]] of the parasympathetic nuclei in the [[brain stem]].
==Function==
The '''Edinger-Westphal nucleus''' supplies [[preganglionic]] parasympathetic fibers to the [[eye]], [[constriction|constricting]] the [[pupil]] and [[accommodation reflex|accommodating]] the [[Lens (anatomy)|lens]].
==Eponym==
The nucleus is named for both [[Ludwig Edinger]], who demonstrated it in the [[fetus]] in 1885, and for [[Karl Friedrich Otto Westphal]], who demonstrated it in the [[adult]] in 1887.<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|893}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[General visceral efferent fibers]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray696.png|The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue.
Image:Gray697.png|Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
Image:Gray698.png|Primary terminal nuclei of the afferent (sensory) cranial nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
</gallery>
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{GPnotebook|-248184792}}
* [https://www1.columbia.edu/sec/itc/hs/medical/anatomy_resources/anatomy/lecture6/lecture6_files/Slide0009.gif Diagram at Columbia]
* {{BrainMaps|Edinger-Westphal%20nucleus|Edinger-Westphal nucleus}}
* {{LoyolaMedEd|Neuro/frames/nlBSs/nl18fr.htm}}
* {{YaleCranialNerves|3|12}}
{{Mesencephalon}}
{{Cranial nerves}}
{{Visual system}}
{{neuroanatomy-stub}}
{{eye-stub}}
[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
[[de:Edinger-Westphal-Kern]]
[[nl:Kern van Edinger-Westphal]]
[[pl:Jądro Edingera-Westphala]]