Greater petrosal nerve
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| Nerve: Greater petrosal nerve | |
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| The course and connections of the facial nerve in the temporal bone. | |
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| Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. | |
| Latin | nervus petrosus major |
| Gray's | subject #202 903 |
| From | facial nerve |
| To | nerve of pterygoid canal |
| Dorlands / Elsevier |
n_05/12566464 |
The greater petrosal nerve is a nerve in the skull that branches from the facial nerve; it forms part of a chain of nerves that innervates the lacrimal gland. The fibres have synapses in the pterygopalatine ganglion.
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[edit] Structure
The greater petrosal nerve is a branch of the facial nerve that arises from the geniculate ganglion, a part of the facial nerve inside the facial canal. It enters the middle cranial fossa through the hiatus for the greater petrosal nerve (on the anterior surface of the petrous temporal bone). It proceeds towards the foramen lacerum, where it joins the deep petrosal nerve (sympathetic) to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal. The nerve of the pterygoid canal passes through the pterygoid canal to reach the pterygopalatine ganglion.
[edit] Function
The greater petrosal nerve carries gustatory (taste) and parasympathetic fibres. Postganglionic parasympathetic fibres from pterygopalatine ganglion supply lacrimal gland and the mucosal glands of the nose, palate, and pharynx. The gustatory fibres do not relay in the ganglion and are distributed to the palate.
[edit] Additional images
 Alveolar branches of superior maxillary nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion. ( |
 Sympathetic connections of the sphenopalatine and superior cervical ganglia. |
[edit] External links
- Greater+petrosal+nerve at eMedicine Dictionary
- Norman/Georgetown cranialnerves (VII)
- University of Michigan Medical School "Dissector Answers - Ear and Nasal Cavity"
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