Cranial Nerves Involved With Eye- Functions

Front 1

CN 2

Back 1

Optic nerve-

Transmits visual information from retina to brain

Front 2

CN 3

Back 2

Oculomotor nerve-

Innervates dorsal, ventral and medial rectus muscles, the inferior oblique & levator palpebrae muscle

Carries parasympathetic fibres to iris constrictor muscle (pupil constriction) & ciliary muscle

Front 3

CN 4

Back 3

Trochlear nerve-

Innervates dorsal oblique muscle (eye moves ventral and medial)

Front 4

CN 5

Back 4

Ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve-

Transmits pain & pressure from cornea & lids

Terminal fibres of parasympathetic innervation to lacrimal gland run with this nerve

Front 5

CN 6

Back 5

Abducens nerve-

Motor to lateral rectus & retractor bulbi muscles (pulls eye back)

Also provides sympathetic innervation to 3rd eyelid in cat

Front 6

CN 7

Back 6

Facial nerve-

Motor to obicularis oculi muscle

Also parasympathetic innervation of lacrimal gland

Front 7

CN 8

Back 7

Vestibular nerve-

Intimately involved with ocular motility & position including nystagmus (involuntary rhythmic globre oscillation)