**Core Concept:** The superior orbital fissure is a bony canal in the skull, on either side of the face, through which several cranial nerves pass to supply the eye and surrounding structures. Superior orbital fissure syndrome occurs due to compression or injury to these nerves, leading to a specific set of symptoms and signs.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer, D, represents the following nerves that are affected in superior orbital fissure syndrome:

1. **Oculomotor (CN III):** It controls the eye movements, pupillary dilation, and expression on the forehead. Injury to this nerve causes ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), miosis (narrowing of the pupil), and loss of eyebrow sensation.
2. **Trigeminal (CN V):** This nerve supplies sensory innervation to the face and motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression. Injury to this nerve results in sensory deficits in the affected side, and loss of facial expression on the same side.
3. **Vasculature:** Superior orbital fissure syndrome is also associated with compression or injury to the blood vessels passing through the fissure (mostly the ophthalmic artery and vein). This can lead to swelling and pain in the affected eye, which is a clinical feature to be aware of.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. **Smaller nerves:** Options A and B involve larger nerves (oculomotor and trochlear) that do not pass through the superior orbital fissure. Injury to these nerves causes different symptoms and signs.

B. **Sensory nerves:** Option B refers to the sensory nerves (cranial nerves II, VII, and V1) which are not affected in superior orbital fissure syndrome. These nerves are responsible for sensory perception, and injury to them would cause sensory deficits in different regions of the face or body, not the specific symptoms seen in superior orbital fissure syndrome.

C. **Non-oculomotor nerves:** Option C includes the facial (CN VII) and glossopharyngeal (CN IX) nerves. Injury to these nerves would lead to different symptoms and signs, distinct from those seen in superior orbital fissure syndrome.

D. **Affected nerves:** This option includes the oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), and abducens (CN VI) nerves. These nerves are responsible for eye movement and control and cause the characteristic symptoms and signs of superior orbital fissure syndrome.

**Clinical Pearl:** Superior orbital fissure syndrome is a clinical entity to remember during the examination, as it is a potentially reversible condition with early diagnosis and management.

In summary, superior orbital fissure syndrome is caused by compression or injury to the oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), and abducens (CN VI) nerves passing through the superior orbital fissure. These nerves are responsible for eye movement control, leading to specific clinical features:

1. **Diplopia (double vision)** due to the involvement of CN III (oculomotor) and CN VI (abducens) nuclei.