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Glite Dictionary
oculomotor

oculomotor

1 9.9
A nerve that controls most eye movements and changes pupil size
  • noun
  • /ˌɑk.jəˈloʊˌmoʊ.tər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : oculomotor
  • Oculomotor exam suggests no central vestibular pathology.

Examples

  • Dr. Christopher Quinn, an optometrist with Omni Eye Associates, commented that this study confirms a unique connection between oculomotor skills and both cognitive and physical function.

    Blog text (7)

  • So that then is the essence of the oculomotor complex that I want to cover.

  • The oculomotor, the trochlear, the glossopharyngeal, and...

    Flatliners (2017)

  • Children might differ in oculomotor skills influencing transitions from one line of text to the next.

    Academic text (2013)

  • The oculomotor nerve plays a crucial role in controlling eye movement and pupil response.

  • Damage to the oculomotor can lead to problems with eye coordination and vision.

  • During the exam, the doctor tested the function of the oculomotor nerve by checking how well the patient could follow a moving object.

Synonyms

oculomotor nerve
vsoculomotor
  • Specialized
6.9

A nerve that controls most muscles that move the eye

is defined by controlling those muscles rather than supplying them
nervus oculomotorius
vsoculomotor
  • Specialized
9.9

A nerve that moves most eye muscles and controls the eyelid and pupil

focuses only on moving the eyeball, not eyelid or pupil control
third cranial nerve
vsoculomotor
  • Specialized
6.8

A nerve that moves most eye muscles and controls pupil size

talks about moving the eyeball but omits paired form and pupil detail

Compounds

oculomotor nerve
  • Specialized
6.9

A nerve that controls most muscles that move the eye

Surface Forms

oculomotor singular
oculomotors plural

Morphology

oculomotor = motor (opaque) = oculo + motor + oculo

The parts 'oculo-' (eye) and 'motor' (movement) transparently suggest 'eye movement', but 'oculo-' is a Latin combining form unfamiliar to many learners and the specific anatomical reference is technical.

Etymology

Oculomotor comes from two Latin parts: oculo- meaning 'eye', as in ocular, and motor meaning 'mover', like a machine motor. So an oculomotor nerve is like an 'eye mover', which is why it controls most eye muscles and pupil movement.