The ciliary ganglion (parasympathetic) receives its preganglionic input from which cranial nerve nucleus and carries postganglionic fibres that supply:

• A Superior salivatory nucleus (CN VII); sphincter pupillae
• B Edinger-Westphal nucleus (CN III); sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscle ✓
• C Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (CN X); accommodation only
• D Edinger-Westphal nucleus (CN III); dilator pupillae and ciliary muscle

Explanation

The Edinger-Westphal nucleus (accessory parasympathetic nucleus of CN III) sends preganglionic fibres via the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve to the ciliary ganglion, which lies in the posterior orbit between the optic nerve and lateral rectus. Short ciliary nerves carry postganglionic fibres to the sphincter pupillae (miosis, direct and consensual light reflex) and ciliary muscle (accommodation/near reflex). The dilator pupillae is sympathetically innervated. The superior salivatory nucleus supplies the pterygopalatine and submandibular ganglia via CN VII.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.