(ed'ing-ĕr-west'fal‵ )

[Karl Westphal, Ger. neurologist, 1833–1890; Ludwig Edinger, Ger. neurologist, 1855–1918]

A nucleus of the visceral motor column in the hindbrain. It lies in the midbrain tegmentum, just beneath the cerebral aqueduct and lateral to the oculomotor nucleus. This nucleus is the origin of preganglionic parasympathetic axons in the oculomotor nerve (CN III); it innervates the ciliary and pupillary constrictor muscles of the eye. SYN: accessory oculomotor nucleus.