Lesser petrosal nerve
4684651
224170108
2008-07-07T17:18:22Z
Uwe Gille
211241
+de
{{Infobox Nerve |
Name = Lesser petrosal nerve |
Latin = nervus petrosus minor |
GraySubject = |
GrayPage = |
Image = Gray788.png |
Caption = Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. |
Image2 = Gray782_updated.png |
Caption2 = Mandibular division of trifacial nerve, seen from the middle line. The small figure is an enlarged view of the otic ganglion. (Small petrosal labeled at center top and bottom right.) |
Innervates = [[parotid gland]] |
BranchFrom = [[tympanic plexus]] |
BranchTo = [[otic ganglion]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = n_05 |
DorlandsSuf = 12566476 |
}}
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]].
The tympanic plexus has parasympathetic ([[preganglionic]]) roots which contribute to the '''lesser petrosal nerve'''. Parasympathetic contribution is from the [[tympanic nerve]] which branches from the [[glossopharyngeal nerve]] (CN IX) in the [[jugular foramen]].
The '''lesser petrosal nerve''' exits the [[temporal bone]] and enters the [[middle cranial fossa]] through the [[hiatus of lesser petrosal nerve]]. It then exits the middle cranial fossa through [[foramen ovale]] to the otic ganglion where its parasympathetic fibers synapse. From the otic ganglion, its fibers hitchhike with the [[auriculotemporal nerve]] (from V3) to eventually innervate the parotid gland.
The [[geniculate ganglion]] also communicates with the lesser petrosal nerve.
==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Lesser+petrosal+nerve}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|IX}})
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson3}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|midearcavity}}) (#7)
* {{LoyolaMedEd|grossanatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cn9.htm}}
* {{YaleCranialNerves|9|10}}
{{Gray's}}
{{Cranial nerves}}
[[Category:Nervous system]]
[[de:Jacobson-Anastomose]]