Question

Which of the following nerves would you expect to innervate extrinsic eye muscles?

1) Optic nerve
2) Oculomotor nerve
3) Facial nerve
4) Vagus nerve

Answer 1

The oculomotor nerve is responsible for innervating the extrinsic eye muscles, except for the superior oblique and lateral rectus muscles, which are innervated by the trochlear and abducens nerves respectively. Option 2 is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Of the options provided, the oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) is the one that would you expect to innervate the extrinsic eye muscles. The oculomotor nerve is responsible for controlling four of the six extraocular muscles, which are essential for eye movement. Additionally, it is involved with the levator palpebrae superioris muscle that lifts the upper eyelid.

While the trochlear nerve (cranial nerve IV) and abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI) also control eye movement, each only innervates one extraocular muscle—the superior oblique and lateral rectus muscles, respectively.

The optic nerve (cranial nerve II) is associated with vision, the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) controls facial expressions, and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) oversees autonomic control of thoracic and abdominal organs, none of which are involved in controlling extrinsic eye muscles.