The nucleus of Darkschewitsch is an accessory oculomotor nucleus[1] situated in the ventrolateral portion of the periaqueductal gray of the mesencephalon (midbrain)[2]: 114 [3]: 458.e1 near its junction with the diencephalon.
It is involved in mediating vertical eye movements.
[1] It projects to the trochlear nucleus, receives afferents from the visual cortex, and forms a reciprocal (looping) connection with the cerebellum by way of the inferior olive.
It receives afferents from the visual association areas (via the corticotectal tract),[2]: 241 vestibular nuclei (via the medial longitudinal fasciculus),[2]: 402 and from the spinomesencephalic tract.
[3]: 433.e1 It gives rise to the medial tegmental tract to project efferents to the (rostral portion of) medial accessory olivary nucleus[3]: 458.e1 → ((decussation) inferior cerebellar peduncle → (contralateral) globose nucleus of cerebellum → superior cerebellar peduncle (decussation) → (rostral part of) medial accessory olivary nucleus → (ipsilateral) nucleus of Darkschewitsch[3]: 484 ).