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Vidian Nerve
The nerve of the pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve) is formed by the union of the (parasympathetic) greater petrosal nerve and (sympathetic) deep petrosal nerve within the cartilaginous substance filling the foramen lacerum. From the foramen lacerum, the nerve of the pterygoid canal passes through the pterygoid canal to reach the pterygopalatine fossa, ending at the pterygopalatine ganglion. Structure The nerve of the pterygoid canal forms from the junction of the greater petrosal nerve and the deep petrosal nerve within the foreamen lacerum. This combined nerve exits the foramen lacerum and travels to the pterygopalatine fossa through the pterygoid canal in the sphenoid. The nerve of the pterygoid canal contains axons of both sympathetic and parasympathetic axons, specifically; *preganglonic parasympathetic axons from the greater petrosal nerve, a branch of the facial nerve (cell bodies are located in the superior salivatory nucleus) *postganglionic sympathetic axons from the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Greater Petrosal Nerve
The greater petrosal nerve (or greater superficial petrosal nerve) is a nerve of the head mainly containing pre-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres which ultimately synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion. It branches from the facial nerve (CN VII) and is derived from the parasympathetic part of the nervus intermedius component of CN VII, with its cell bodies located in the superior salivary nucleus. In the connective tissue substance of the foramen lacerum, the greater petrosal nerve unites with the ( sympathetic) deep petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal (vidian nerve) which proceeds to the pterygopalatine ganglion. It forms part of a chain of nerves that provide secretomotor innervation to the lacrimal gland and mucosal glands of nasal cavity and palate. Structure Origin Parasympathetic component Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres arise in the superior salivary nucleus of the pontine tegmentum. They join with general somatic sensory and speci ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Deep Petrosal Nerve
The deep petrosal nerve is a post-ganglionic branch of the ( sympathetic) internal carotid (nervous) plexus (which is in turn derived from the superior cervical ganglion, a part of the cervical sympathetic trunk) that enters the cranial cavity through the carotid canal, then passes perpendicular to the carotid canal in the cartilaginous substance which fills the foramen lacerum to unite with the (parasympathetic) greater petrosal nerve to form the nerve of pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve). Anatomy intermediate grey column (of spinal cord at around the level of T1) → white rami communicantes (of cervical part of sympathetic chain) → superior cervical ganglion (synapse) → gray rami communicantes → internal carotid plexus → deep petrosal nerve → nerve of pterygoid canal → pterygopalatine ganglion (fibres pass through without synapsing) → zygomatic nerve → zygomaticotemporal nerve → lacrimal nerve Origin The cell bodies of pre-ganglionic sympathetic axons th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pterygopalatine Ganglion
The pterygopalatine ganglion (aka Meckel's ganglion, nasal ganglion, or sphenopalatine ganglion) is a parasympathetic ganglion in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is one of four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, (the others being the submandibular, otic, and ciliary ganglion). It is innervated by the Vidian nerve (formed by the greater superficial petrosal nerve branch of the facial nerve and deep petrosal nerve) and maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Its postsynaptic axons project to the lacrimal glands and nasal mucosa. The flow of blood to the nasal mucosa, in particular the venous plexus of the conchae, is regulated by the pterygopalatine ganglion and heats or cools the air in the nose. Structure The pterygopalatine ganglion (of Meckel), the largest of the parasympathetic ganglia associated with the branches of the maxillary nerve, is deeply placed in the pterygopalatine fossa, close to the sphenopalatine foramen. It is triangular or heart-shaped ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Greater Petrosal Nerve
The greater petrosal nerve (or greater superficial petrosal nerve) is a nerve of the head mainly containing pre-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres which ultimately synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion. It branches from the facial nerve (CN VII) and is derived from the parasympathetic part of the nervus intermedius component of CN VII, with its cell bodies located in the superior salivary nucleus. In the connective tissue substance of the foramen lacerum, the greater petrosal nerve unites with the ( sympathetic) deep petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal (vidian nerve) which proceeds to the pterygopalatine ganglion. It forms part of a chain of nerves that provide secretomotor innervation to the lacrimal gland and mucosal glands of nasal cavity and palate. Structure Origin Parasympathetic component Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres arise in the superior salivary nucleus of the pontine tegmentum. They join with general somatic sensory and speci ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Foramen Lacerum
The foramen lacerum () is a triangular hole in the base of the skull. It is located between the sphenoid bone, the apex of the petrous part of the temporal bone, and the basilar part of the occipital bone. Structure The foramen lacerum () is a triangular hole in the base of skull. It is located between 3 bones: * sphenoid bone (forming the anterior border) * apex of petrous part of temporal bone (forming the posterolateral border) * basilar part of occipital bone (forming the posteromedial border) It is the junction point of 3 sutures of the skull: * petroclival (petrooccipital) suture * sphenopetrosal suture * sphenooccipital suture Contents Structures passing through the foramen lacerum include: * greater petrosal nerve and deep petrosal nerve which merge within the foramen to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal * nerve of the pterygoid canal * artery of the pterygoid canal * recurrent artery of the foramen lacerum (supplies the internal carotid plexus) * emis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pterygoid Canal
The pterygoid canal (also vidian canal) is a passage in the sphenoid bone of the skull leading from just anterior to the foramen lacerum in the middle cranial fossa to the pterygopalatine fossa. It transmits the nerve of pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve), the artery of the pterygoid canal (Vidian artery), and the vein of the pterygoid canal (Vidian vein). Structure The pterygoid canal runs through the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone of the neurocranium. It is situated in the middle of the skull towards the front, in front of the basilar part of occipital bone, basilar part of the occipital bone. The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bon ... to the back wall of the pterygopalatine fossa. Additional images File:Gray192.png, Medial wall of left orbit. External links * * () References Foramina of the skull {{musculoskeletal-stub Otorhinolaryngology ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pterygopalatine Ganglion
The pterygopalatine ganglion (aka Meckel's ganglion, nasal ganglion, or sphenopalatine ganglion) is a parasympathetic ganglion in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is one of four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, (the others being the submandibular, otic, and ciliary ganglion). It is innervated by the Vidian nerve (formed by the greater superficial petrosal nerve branch of the facial nerve and deep petrosal nerve) and maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Its postsynaptic axons project to the lacrimal glands and nasal mucosa. The flow of blood to the nasal mucosa, in particular the venous plexus of the conchae, is regulated by the pterygopalatine ganglion and heats or cools the air in the nose. Structure The pterygopalatine ganglion (of Meckel), the largest of the parasympathetic ganglia associated with the branches of the maxillary nerve, is deeply placed in the pterygopalatine fossa, close to the sphenopalatine foramen. It is triangular or heart-shaped ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pterygopalatine Fossa
In human anatomy, the pterygopalatine fossa (sphenopalatine fossa) is a fossa in the skull. A human skull contains two pterygopalatine fossae—one on the left side, and another on the right side. Each fossa is a cone-shaped paired depression deep to the infratemporal fossa and posterior to the maxilla on each side of the skull, located between the pterygoid process and the maxillary tuberosity close to the apex of the orbit. It is the indented area medial to the pterygomaxillary fissure leading into the sphenopalatine foramen. It communicates with the nasal and oral cavities, infratemporal fossa, orbit, pharynx, and middle cranial fossa through eight foramina. Structure Boundaries It has the following boundaries: * ''anterior'': superomedial part of the infratemporal surface of maxilla * ''posterior'': root of the pterygoid process and adjoining anterior surface of the greater wing of sphenoid bone * ''medial'': perpendicular plate of the palatine bone and its orbital an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sphenoid Bone
The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone of the neurocranium. It is situated in the middle of the skull towards the front, in front of the basilar part of occipital bone, basilar part of the occipital bone. The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit (anatomy), orbit. Its shape somewhat resembles that of a butterfly, bat or wasp with its wings extended. The name presumably originates from this shape, since () means in Ancient Greek. Structure It is divided into the following parts: * a median portion, known as the body of sphenoid bone, containing the sella turcica, which houses the pituitary gland as well as the paired paranasal sinuses, the sphenoidal sinuses * two Greater wing of sphenoid bone, greater wings on the lateral side of the body and two Lesser wing of sphenoid bone, lesser wings from the anterior side. * Pterygoid processes of the sphenoides, directed downwards from the junction of the body and the greater wings. Two sphenoidal co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Facial Nerve
The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The nerve typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. It arises from the brainstem from an area posterior to the cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve) and anterior to cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve). The facial nerve also supplies preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to several head and neck ganglia. The facial and intermediate nerves can be collectively referred to as the nervus intermediofacialis. The path of the facial nerve can be divided into six segments: # intracranial (cisternal) segment (from brainstem pons to internal auditory canal) # meatal (canalicular) segment (with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Salivatory Nuclei
The salivatory nuclei are two general visceral efferent nuclei located in the caudal pons, dorsal and lateral to the facial nucleus. Their neurons give rise to preganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers in the control of salivation.Digital version The superior salivatory nucleus supplies fibers to the intermediate nerve (part of the facial nerve (CN VII). The inferior salivatory nucleus supplies fibers to the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). The nuclei may also be involved in parasympathetic control of (extracranial and intracranial) head vasculature. Superior salivatory nucleus The superior salivatory nucleus (or nucleus salivatorius superior) is a visceral motor cranial nerve nucleus of the facial nerve (CN VII). It is located in the pontine tegmentum. It projects pre-ganglionic visceral motor parasympathetic efferents (via CN VII) to the pterygopalatine ganglion, and submandibular ganglion. The term "lacrimal nucleus" is sometimes used to refer to a portion of the superio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Internal Carotid Plexus
The internal carotid plexus is a nerve plexus situated upon the lateral side of the internal carotid artery. It is composed of post-ganglionic sympathetic fibres which have synapsed at (i.e. have their nerve cell bodies at) the superior cervical ganglion. The plexus gives rise to the deep petrosal nerve. Anatomy Postganglionic sympathetic fibres ascend from the superior cervical ganglion, along the walls of the internal carotid artery, to enter the internal carotid plexus. These fibres are then distributed to deep structures, including the superior tarsal muscle and pupillary dilator muscle. It includes fibres destined for the pupillary dilator muscle as part of a neural circuit regulating pupillary dilatation component of the pupillary reflex. Some fibres of the plexus converge to form the deep petrosal nerve.Richard L. Drake, Wayne Vogel & Adam W M Mitchell, "Gray's Anatomy for Students", Elsevier inc., 2005 The internal carotid plexus communicates with the trigeminal gangli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
