ophthalmoplegia

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A diagram showing the extraocular muscles of the right eye. The extraocular muscles control the movement of the eye and are themselves controlled by a variety of cranial nerves. Sometimes these muscles become paralyzed, and conditions such as ptosis (drooping of the eyelid) result.

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that function to control the muscles and sense organs of the head and thoracic region. Several of these, including the third, fourth, and sixth nerves, control muscles that move the eye.

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ophthalmoplegia: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	extraocular muscle palsy

Photos

A diagram showing the extraocular muscles of the right eye. The extraocular muscles control the movement of the eye and are themselves controlled by a variety of cranial nerves. Sometimes these muscles become paralyzed, and conditions such as ptosis (drooping of the eyelid) result.

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that function to control the muscles and sense organs of the head and thoracic region. Several of these, including the third, fourth, and sixth nerves, control muscles that move the eye.

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Topics

extraocular muscle eye disease uveitis keratitis macular degeneration conjunctivitis colour blindness cerebral palsy glaucoma cataract strabismus periodic paralysis

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