- Greater petrosal nerve
Infobox Nerve
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = nervus petrosus major
GraySubject = 202
GrayPage = 903
Caption = The course and connections of thefacial nerve in thetemporal bone .
Caption2 = Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves.
Innervates =
BranchFrom =facial nerve
BranchTo =nerve of pterygoid canal
MeshName =
MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = n_05
DorlandsSuf = 12566464
The greater petrosal nerve is anerve in the skull that branches from thefacial nerve ; it forms part of a chain of nerves that innervates thelacrimal gland . The fibres have synapses in thepterygopalatine ganglion .tructure
The greater petrosal nerve is a branch of the
facial nerve that arises from thegeniculate ganglion , a part of the facial nerve inside thefacial canal . It enters themiddle cranial fossa through the hiatus for the greater petrosal nerve (on the anterior surface of thepetrous temporal bone ). It proceeds towards theforamen lacerum , where it joins thedeep petrosal nerve (sympathetic) to form the nerve of thepterygoid canal . The nerve of the pterygoid canal passes through the pterygoid canal to reach thepterygopalatine ganglion .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.
=AdditionalExternal links
*
* (NormanAnatomyFig|VII)
* [http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/nervous_system/ear_ans.html University of Michigan Medical School "Dissector Answers - Ear and Nasal Cavity"]
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