| Salivatory nuclei | |
|---|---|
 Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (Nucleus salivatorius visible at upper left.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nucleī salivatorii |
| NeuroNames | 590 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The salivatory nuclei are pre-ganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the caudal pons representing the general visceral efferent (GVE) cranial nerve nuclei giving rise to axons which join (the intermediate nerve component of) the facial nerve (CN VII) and glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) to reach and innervate the salivary as well as lacrimal glands. The nuclei may also be involved in parasympathetic control of (extracranial and intracranial) head vasculature.[1]
Traditionally, they have been subdivided into a superior salivatory nucleus and inferior salivatory nucleus - whose axons join the CN VII and CN IX, respectively - however, their respective neurons do not actually form distinguishable structures.[1]
The pathways of salivary nuclei are:[1]
- Superior salivatory nucleus → intermediate nerve of facial nerve (CN VII) →
- greater petrosal nerve → nerve of pterygoid canal → pterygopalatine ganglion (synapse with post-ganglionic neurons) →
- → palatine nerves and nasal nerves → nasal, palatine, and pharyngeal mucosa
- → zygomatic nerve → zygomaticotemporal nerve → communicating branch of lacrimal nerve with zygomatic nerve → lacrimal nerve → lacrimal gland
- → ethmoid vessels → choroid
- chorda tympani → lingual nerve → submandibular ganglion (synapse with post-ganglionic neurons) → submandibular, sublingual, and lingual glands
- greater petrosal nerve → nerve of pterygoid canal → pterygopalatine ganglion (synapse with post-ganglionic neurons) →
- Inferior salivatory nucleus → Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) → tympanic nerve → tympanic plexus → lesser petrosal nerve → otic ganglion (synapse with post-ganglionic neurons) → auriculotemporal nerve → parotid gland
- ^ a b c Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York: Elsevier. pp. 455, 550–551. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.