Which cranial nerve controls most extraocular movements and papillary constriction?

The cranial nerve that controls most extraocular movements and papillary constriction is cranial nerve III, also known as the Oculomotor nerve. This nerve is primarily responsible for innervating several muscles that enable eye movement, including the superior rectus, medial rectus, inferior rectus, and inferior oblique muscles. These muscles allow for a wide range of eye movements such as looking up, down, and inward.

Additionally, the Oculomotor nerve plays a crucial role in autonomic functions, specifically through its parasympathetic fibers, which are responsible for constricting the pupil (papillary constriction) and controlling the shape of the lens for focusing on near objects (accommodation). This function is vital for adjusting our vision in response to different lighting conditions and distances.

Other cranial nerves listed have distinct roles; for example, cranial nerve II is primarily responsible for vision (vision sensory), cranial nerve IV (the Trochlear nerve) innervates the superior oblique muscle for a specific eye movement (downward and lateral), and cranial nerve VI (the Abducens nerve) controls the lateral rectus muscle, which abducts the eye. Thus, cranial nerve III is central to