• by E12.5, aberrant branches of the oculomotor nerve begin to form in the direction of the lateral rectus muscle and retractor bulbi muscle
• at E13.5, the oculomotor nerve forms a second, more distal aberrant branch that extends toward the lateral rectus muscle in addition to the more proximal aberrant branches contacting the lateral rectus and retractor bulbi muscles
• by E16.5, the abducens nerve remains hypoplastic but provides some innervation to the lateral rectus muscle
• by E16.5, the lateral rectus muscle receives innervation form the distinct proximal and distal aberrant oculomotor nerve branches
• the diameter of the distal aberrant branch of the oculomotor nerve is greater than that of the proximal aberrant branch