Nerve
Pterygopalatine ganglion
Parasympathetic output to tears and mucosal glands
High-yield
It supplies parasympathetic drive for lacrimal and nasal, palatal and nasopharyngeal secretion. The usual lacrimal route uses a V2 zygomatic branch and a connection to the V1 lacrimal nerve, with anatomical variation.
Overview
Connected to V2 in the pterygopalatine fossa, this ganglion receives the nerve of the pterygoid canal. That nerve combines preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the greater petrosal nerve with sympathetic fibers from the deep petrosal nerve. Only the parasympathetic component relays here before its axons follow peripheral branches toward glands.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Superior salivatory neurons project through VII and its greater petrosal branch, then the nerve of the pterygoid canal.
- Course
- In the pterygopalatine fossa, connected to the maxillary nerve by small ganglionic branches and close to the opening of the pterygoid canal.
- Motor
- Postganglionic parasympathetic axons stimulate lacrimal and nasal, palatal and nasopharyngeal glands.
- Sensory
- V2 sensory fibers and postganglionic sympathetic fibers pass through associated connections without relaying. Peripheral distributions include palatine, nasopalatine, posterior nasal and pharyngeal branches.
Clinical correlation
After some proximal facial-nerve injuries, regenerating secretomotor axons may reach the lacrimal pathway incorrectly. Salivary stimuli can then trigger tears during eating, called gustatory lacrimation or crocodile tears.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the pterygopalatine ganglion arise?
Superior salivatory neurons project through VII and its greater petrosal branch, then the nerve of the pterygoid canal.
What muscles does the pterygopalatine ganglion supply?
The pterygopalatine ganglion supplies the postganglionic parasympathetic axons stimulate lacrimal and nasal, palatal and nasopharyngeal glands.
What is the sensory distribution of the pterygopalatine ganglion?
V2 sensory fibers and postganglionic sympathetic fibers pass through associated connections without relaying. Peripheral distributions include palatine, nasopalatine, posterior nasal and pharyngeal branches.
What is the course of the pterygopalatine ganglion?
In the pterygopalatine fossa, connected to the maxillary nerve by small ganglionic branches and close to the opening of the pterygoid canal.