Pupillary automatism

Abstract

An unusual case of cyclic pupillary movements in an otherwise complete oculomotor nerve palsy in a five year-old girl is reported. This is considered to be due to destruction of somatic and visceral nuclei of the oculomotor nerve following injury to its fascicular part. Pupillary automatism has been explained on the basis of the presence of aberrant autonomic cells in the ciliary ganglion which are discharging in a regular rhythm independent of higher control.

Keywords

• Oculomotor nerve
• cyclic oculomotor paresis
• "aberrant" ganglion cells
• ciliary ganglion
• pupil
• pupillary automatism.