Nerve of pterygoid canal 4864922 195217348 2008-03-01T23:55:02Z Filip en 5920764 pl:Nerw Widiusza {{Infobox Nerve | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = n. canalis pterygoidei | GraySubject = 200 | GrayPage = 892 | Image = Gray788.png | Caption = Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (Vidian nerve labeled at upper right.) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | Innervates = | BranchFrom = [[greater petrosal nerve]], [[deep petrosal nerve]] | BranchTo = [[pterygopalatine ganglion]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = n_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12565277 | }} The '''nerve of the pterygoid canal''' ('''Vidian nerve'''), formed by the junction of the [[great petrosal nerve]] and the [[deep petrosal nerve]] in the cartilaginous substance which fills the [[foramen lacerum]], passes forward, through the [[pterygoid canal]], with the corresponding artery ([[artery of the pterygoid canal]]), and is joined by a small ascending sphenoidal branch from the [[otic ganglion]]. Finally, it enters the [[pterygopalatine fossa]], and joins the posterior angle of the [[sphenopalatine ganglion]]. It contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the [[greater petrosal nerve]], a branch of the [[facial nerve]] (CN VII), and postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the [[deep petrosal nerve]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray779.png|Alveolar branches of superior maxillary nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion. Image:Gray844.png|Diagram of the cervical sympathetic. </gallery> ==External links== * {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|VII}}) ("NPC") * {{eMedicineDictionary|Nerve+of+pterygoid+canal}} {{Gray's}} {{neuroscience-stub}} {{Trigeminal nerve}} {{Autonomic}} [[Category:Nervous system]] [[fr:Nerf du canal ptérygoïdien]] [[pl:Nerw Widiusza]]