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]]