Lesser petrosal nerve
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- Fnx - (General visceral efferent) stimulates saliva secretion from parotid gland
- Origin - inferior salivatory nucleus of CN9, tympanic plexus, middle ear promontory
- Course - Leaves middle ear through tiny canal in temporal bone, runs in middle cranial fossa on anterior surface of petrous bone
- Skull exit - (exit point varies) foramen ovale, sphenopetrosal fissure, or Arnold’s canal
- Ganglionic Synapse - Carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers → otic ganglion synapse
- Postganglionic Path - Postganglionic fibers travel along V3 to parotid gland