Medical Dictionary
Main Entry:
Ed·ing·er–West·phal nucleusPronunciation:
"ed-i[ng]-&r-"west-"fäl-, -"fol- Function:
noun : the lateralportion of the group of nerve cells lying ventral to the aqueduct of Sylvius which give rise to the autonomic fibers of the oculomotor nerve supplying the ciliary muscle and the sphincter pupillae
Edáingáer /'ed-i[ng]-&r/,
Ludwig (1855–1918), German neurologist. In 1885 Edinger described for the first time a nucleus beneath the aqueduct of Sylviusthat gives rise to some of the fibers of the oculomotor nerve.
Westáphal /'west-"fäl, -"fol/,
Carl Friedrich Otto (1833–1890), German neurologist. In 1887Westphal presented his description of the nucleus that had been described earlier by Edinger. Since Westphal's description is more complete, he has been accorded equal credit with Edinger, and thenucleus is now known usually as the Edinger-Westphal nucleus.
