What does the greater petrosal nerve innervate?
The greater petrosal nerve (or 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 preganglionic parasympathetic axons of this nerve synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion .
What is the hiatus for the greater petrosal nerve?
The hiatus for the greater petrosal nerve is a small hole in the petrous part of the temporal bone which connects the facial canal to the middle cranial fossa. The greater petrosal nerve travels through it to branch from the facial nerve and reach the middle cranial fossa on its way to the pterygopalatine ganglion .
Where does the greater petrosal nerve enter the pterygoid canal?
It enters the pterygoid canal, where it joins the deep petrosal nerve (a sympathetic nerve) to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal, which passes through the pterygoid canal to reach the pterygopalatine ganglion . The greater petrosal nerve carries parasympathetic preganglionic fibers from the facial nerve.
Is the greater petrosal nerve parasympathetic or sympathetic?
The greater petrosal nerves contain parasympathetic fibers for the pterygopalatine ganglion and taste fibers. As the facial nerve continues to travel along bony canal, two more branches emerge: the nerve to stapedius, the chorda tympani, and preganglionic parasympathetic fibers.
Where does the greater petrosal nerve go?
Location. After leaving the geniculate ganglion, the greater petrosal nerve continues forward toward the cheek. It passes through an opening called the hiatus of the facial canal, then along a narrow passage called the middle cranial fossa. It then exits the skull through the foramen lacerum.
What is the greater petrosal nerve?
The greater petrosal nerve or superficial petrosal nerve is a branch of the nervus intermedius (nerve of Wrisberg) that carries parasympathetic, taste, and sensory fibers of the facial cranial nerve (CN VII).
Is the greater superficial petrosal nerve a branch of facial nerve?
The greater superficial petrosal nerve is a branch of the facial nerve that exits the temporal bone and passes near Meckel's cave before joining the deep petrosal nerve to form the vidian nerve and continuing into the PPF.
Does greater petrosal nerve go through foramen lacerum?
In the middle cranial fossa, the greater petrosal nerve passes medially to enter the foramen lacerum and fuses there with the deep petrosal nerve, forming the Vidian nerve or pterygoid nerve, which passes from the pterygoid canal to the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF).
How many Petrosal nerves are there?
Six petrosal nerves have been described: exter- nal, deep, small deep, smallest deep, greater, and lesser. One of these is a branch of the facial nerve, one is a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and four are derived from sympathetic fibers.
Where does deep petrosal nerve come from?
The deep petrosal nerve is a branch from the internal carotid plexus. The plexus is located on the lateral side of the internal carotid as it courses superiorly. The deep petrosal enters the skull through the carotid canal with the internal carotid artery.
Is the facial nerve all motor?
The facial nerve carries both motor and sensory fibers. Motor axons innervate the muscles of facial expression and the stapedius muscle. Parasympathetic fibers go to the ganglia that supply glands in the oral cavity and the lacrimal gland.
Where is facial nerve located?
The facial nerve: Starts in your brainstem. Travels through the base of your skull near the vestibulocochlear nerve, the eighth cranial nerve, which helps you hear and maintain balance. Enters your face through an opening in a bone near the base of your ear.
What are the branches of facial nerve?
The branches are, from top to bottom: frontal (or temporal), zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical. Each of these branches provides input to a group of muscles of facial expression.
What nerve passes through foramen spinosum?
The foramen spinosum permits the passage of the middle meningeal artery, middle meningeal vein, and the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve.
What goes thru foramen lacerum?
The artery of pterygoid canal, the nerve of pterygoid canal and some venous drainage pass through the foramen lacerum. In the foramen lacerum the greater petrosal nerve joins with the deep petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal.
What nerve passes through foramen ovale?
mandibular nerveThe FO is present in the posterior part of the greater wing of the sphenoid. The important structures which pass through it are the mandibular nerve, the accessory meningeal artery, the lesser superficial petrosal nerve and the emmissary vein [1].
What is the lesser petrosal nerve?
The lesser petrosal nerve (small superficial petrosal nerve) is the General visceral efferent (GVE) component of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), carrying parasympathetic fibers from the tympanic plexus to the parotid gland.
What does the lesser petrosal nerve supply?
After exiting the skull base, the lesser petrosal nerve synapses in the otic ganglion and the postsynaptic fibers travel with the auriculotemporal branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve to supply parasympathetic control to the parotid gland.
What is the lesser petrosal nerve a branch of?
The lesser petrosal nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland. It is considered a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve although it receives contributions from two further sources 3: tympanic plexus: glossopharyngeal nerve via Jacobson's nerve (main contribution)
What does lesser Petrosal innervate?
The lesser petrosal nerve consists of parasympathetic fibers. It leaves the tympanic plexus to synapse in the otic ganglion, and eventually provide parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland.
Why is it important to know about the greater petrosal nerve?
The greater petrosal nerve has some known variations: 1 . Its distance from certain bony structures is different in some people.
Where does the petrosal nerve synapse?
However, the greater petrosal nerve doesn’t synapse inside the geniculate ganglion; it merely passes through.
What is the name of the nerve that connects the petrosal and deep petrosal nerves?
The combination of the greater petrosal and deep petrosal nerves is called the nerve of the pterygoid canal or the Vidian nerve. After the Vidian nerve leaves the pterygoid canal, it arrives at the pterygopalatine ganglion.
What nerve exits the skull?
After leaving the geniculate ganglion, the greater petrosal nerve continues forward toward the cheek. It passes through an opening called the hiatus of the facial canal, then along a narrow passage called the middle cranial fossa. It then exits the skull through the foramen lacerum.
What nerves are involved in tears?
The greater petrosal nerve branches off of the facial nerve in the skull. Along with a chain of other nerves, it innervates (provides nerve function to) the lacrimal gland, which produces tears. Also referred to as the greater superficial petrosal nerve, it’s related to structures called the pterygopalatine ganglion, the geniculate ganglion, ...
What is the facial nerve?
The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve (CN7) and one of the more complex ones. It’s formed by two roots that emerge from the brainstem at a spot called the pontomedullary junction. CN7 and its branches control most of the facial muscles and glands that produce saliva and tears.
Which nerve leaves the ganglion?
The parasympathetic fibers of the greater petrosal nerve leave the ganglion through several important branches:
Where does the petrosal nerve come from?
a communicating branch with the greater petrosal nerve, which comes from the tympanic cavity, having originated at the glossopharyngeal nerve.
How many mm is the lesser petrosal nerve?
The lesser petrosal nerve averages a 15 mm (range: 11.5-19.3 mm) course along the skull base. In 75% of cases, the lesser petrosal nerve and greater petrosal nerve diverge along the entirety of their course.
What are the two branches of the facial nerve?
Buccal Branch of the Facial Nerve. The branches of the facial nerve can be divided into intratemporal and extratemporal branches. The intratemporal branches of the facial nerve are as follows: •. Greater petrosal nerve. This branch arises from the geniculate ganglion and is joined by the nerve of the pterygoid canal.
Where does the pterygopalatine nerve come from?
The pterygopalatine nerve arises from the medial part of the pterygopalatine ganglion, runs in the nasal fossa and crosses the sphenopalatine foramen. It divides into two branches: •. the lateral pterygopalatine nerve, which goes to the nasal fossa. •.
Which nerve is the pterygoid ganglion?
The pterygoid ganglion receives fibers from the maxillary nerve. In addition, it is partly formed by three other roots that unite in a nerve called the vidian nerve.
Which nerve exits the temporal bone?
Greater Petrosal Nerve. The greater superficial petrosal nerve is a branch of the facial nerve that exits the temporal bone and passes near Meckel's cave before joining the deep petrosal nerve to form the vidian nerve and continuing into the PPF. From: Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 2016. Download as PDF.
What is the 7th cranial nerve?
The seventh cranial nerve is the facial nerve and is an incredibly complex nerve originating from the second pharyngeal arch. It contains four different types of fibers – branchial motor, special sensory, visceral motor and general sensory fibers. Perhaps from the clinical perspective, the branchial (pharyngeal) motor component is most important, as it is that which supplies the muscles of facial expression. Paralysis of one or more of these branches will result in a detrimental affect to the patient resulting in facial paralysis, and perhaps an inability to speak, swallow, close their eyes and convey any form of facial expression.
What is the greater superficial petrosal nerve?
Greater petrosal nerve (also known as the greater superficial petrosal nerve) -Parasymp. N. from nervus intermedius -Origin: geniculate ganglion of facial n. -Course: Leave petrous bone via its hiatus to reach middle cranial fossa Then run in its groove to enter f.lacerum to join with deep petrosal n. to form n.
What is the name of the nerve that passes through the pterygoid canal?
Petrosal nerve may refer to: Deep petrosal nerve. Derived from the symp. plexus around I.C.A. -Unite with the greater superficial petrosal n. (parasymp.) To form the nerve of pterygoid canal (vidian n. ) which passes through the pterygoid canal to reach the spheno- palatine ganglion -Enter the spheno-palatine ganglion in the pterygo-palatine fossa ...
Which nerves are connected to the pterygoid canal?
In the proximal region of the pterygoid canal, the greater petrosal nerve is joined by the deep petrosal nerve , forming the nerve of the pterygoid canal - also called the Vidian nerve. At this juncture, the Vidian nerve carries preganglionic, sensory and taste fibers from the greater petrosal, and postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the internal carotid plexus via the deep petrosal nerve. The Vidian nerve continues anteriorly within the pterygoid canal to the pterygopalatine fossa. The sympathetic fibers from the deep petrosal nerve cross the pterygopalatine fossa without synapsing and provide all branches of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (V2) with sympathetic innervation. The parasympathetic fibers synapse at the pterygopalatine ganglion (sphenopalatine ganglion). Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers proceed to provide secretory and vasomotor innervation to the lacrimal, nasal, and palatine glands.
Which nerve carries sensory nerves?
The greater petrosal nerve or superficial petrosal nerve is a branch of the nervus intermedius (nerve of Wrisberg) that carries parasympathetic, taste, and sensory fibers of the facial cranial nerve (CN VII).
Where do the preganglionic parasympathetic fibers originate?
The preganglionic parasympathetic fibers develop from the superior salivatory nucleus of the tractus solitarius in the pontine tegmentum and progress in the nervus intermedius before joining the facial nerve proper. These fibers transverse the geniculate ganglion without synapsing and exit the ganglion anteriorly as the greater petrosal nerve. The nerve proceeds anteromedially and exits the superior surface of the temporal bone through the hiatus of the greater petrosal nerve (facial hiatus/hiatus fallopii) and into the middle temporal fossa. While in the facial hiatus, this nerve travels alongside the middle meningeal artery. The greater petrosal nerve crosses the floor of the middle temporal fossa, medially to the lesser petrosal nerve and laterally to the internal carotid artery, anteromedially and slightly inferiorly passing beneath the Gasserian ganglion in Meckel’s cave and onwards towards the foramen lacerum, and the pterygoid (vidian) canal. This course has led some authors to divide the nerve into four segments: the intrapetrosal segment running from the geniculate ganglion to the facial hiatus; the suprapetrosal segment running from the hiatus to the foramen lacerum; the segment of the foramen lacerum; and the segment of the pterygoid canal.
Which nerve is connected to the deep petrosal nerve?
It passes towards foramen lacerum where it is joined by the deep petrosal nerve (sympathetic fibers from the internal carotid artery) to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal (a.k.a. Vidian nerve ). Its parasympathetic fibers relay in the pterygopalatine ganglion.
Where does the petrosal nerve originate?
The greater (superficial) petrosal nerve originates at the geniculate ganglion, where the nervus intermedius and facial nerve join. It contains mainly preganglionic parasympathetic fibers and some sensory taste afferent fibers from the soft palate.
Which ganglion is the parasympathetic fiber relaying in?
Its parasympathetic fibers relay in the pterygopalatine ganglion.
Which nerve travels through the cranial fossa?
The greater petrosal nerv e travels through it to branch from the facial nerve and reach the middle cranial fossa on its way to the pterygopalatine ganglion . This human musculoskeletal system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
What is the hiatus of the facial canal?
Coronal section of right temporal bone. (Bristle in hiatus of facial canal labeled at upper right.) The course and connections of the facial nerve in the temporal bone. The hiatus for the greater petrosal nerve is a small hole in the petrous part of the temporal bone which connects the facial canal to the middle cranial fossa.
Where do facial nerve roots fuse?
The facial nerve roots then enter the facial canal in petrous part of temporal bone, where the small sensory and large motor roots fuse, forming the facial nerve. This united nerve enlarges at the geniculate ganglion, which contains cell bodies for sensory neurons.
Which nerve contains motor fibers?
the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) Some of these contain motor fibers, some contain autonomic fibers, some contain somatic sensory fibers, some contain special sensory fibers, and some contain combinations of a number of these aforementioned fiber types.
Where do facial nerve fibers travel?
The fibers travel towards the floor of IV ventricle and go around the abducens nucleus and descend. The facial nerve emerges from the lateral surface of brainstem at the pontine-medullary junction between the VI and VIII nerves.
What is the vascular damage of the facial nerve?
Vascular damage to the facial nerve usually occurs at the supranuclear, pontine, and (rarely) cerebellopontine angle. Upper motor neuron (UMN) lesions occur in strokes and can easily be differentiated with lower motor neuron (LMN) lesions by their presentation. A LMN lesion causes paralysis of the whole side of face, ...
What are the components of the facial nerve?
The facial nerve contains many different types of fibers, including general sensory (afferent) fibers, special sensory fibers, visceral/autonomic motor (efferent) fibers, and somatic motor fibers. General sensory fibers in the facial nerve are responsible for transmitting signals to the brain from ...
What is the facial nerve?
The facial nerve is one of a group of nerves called the cranial nerves (CN), twelve pairs of nerves that , with the exception of the spinal accessory nerve (CN XI), originate in the brain and contribute to the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What is the function of the facial nerve?
While it is indeed responsible for innervating the muscles of facial expression, the facial nerve is a complex structure containing many fiber types with a variety of functions, including motor, sensory, and autonomic. The following article will discuss the importance and versatility facial nerve.
