Greater petrosal nerve

Nerve: Greater petrosal nerve
The course and connections of the facial nerve in the temporal bone.
Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves.
Latin	nervus petrosus major
Gray's	p.903
From	facial nerve
To	nerve of pterygoid canal

The greater (superficial) petrosal nerve is a nerve in the skull that branches from the facial nerve; it forms part of a chain of nerves that innervate the lacrimal gland. The fibres have synapses in the pterygopalatine ganglion.

Structure

The greater (superficial) 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 greater (superficial) petrosal foramen (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, which passes through the foramen lacerum. The nerve of the pterygoid canal passes through the pterygoid canal to reach the pterygopalatine ganglion.

Function

The greater (superficial) petrosal nerve carries gustatory (taste) and parasympathetic fibers. Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers from pterygopalatine ganglion supply lacrimal gland and the mucosal glands of the nose, palate, and pharynx. The gustatory fibers do not relay in the ganglion and are distributed to the palate.

Additional images

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  Alveolar branches of superior maxillary nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion.

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  Sympathetic connections of the sphenopalatine and superior cervical ganglia.

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  Head lateral gr petrosal nerve

External links

• Greater+petrosal+nerve at eMedicine Dictionary
• cranialnerves at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (VII)
• University of Michigan Medical School "Dissector Answers - Ear and Nasal Cavity"