Parasympathetic ganglia of Head and Neck

Important points:

1. Preganglionic fibers travel with cranial nerves III, VII, IX and X, then meet cranial nerve V in ganglion and post-ganglionic fibers are carried by branch of cranial nerve V.
2. Parasympathetic ganglia also have sympathetic components.
3. Each PSNS ganglion has three roots: a motor root, a sympathetic root, and a sensory root, as well as a number of exiting branches.

Mnemonics:
1. COPS 3977
2. C is 3rd letter hence related to cranial nerve III
3. S for Sphenopalatine and Submandibular and S for Seven and is related to Superior Salivatory nucleus
4. All postganglionic fibers are carried by trigeminal nerve (Cranial nerve V)

Ganglion	Nucleus	Pre-ganglionic	Post-ganglionic	Sympathetic root	Function
Ciliary	Edinger-Westphal	CN III	CN V1 – short ciliary nerve	Nasociliary nerve (internal carotid plexus)	Sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles
Otic	Inferior salivatory	CN IX (lesser petrosal nerve)	CN V3 – auriculo-temporal nerve	Plexus around medial meningeal artery	Parotid gland
Pterygopalatine/ Sphenopalatine	Superior salivatory	CN VII (greater petrosal nerve)	CN V1/V2	Deep petrosal nerve (internal carotid plexus)	Lacrimal, nasal, palatine, pharyngeal glands
Submandibular	Superior salivatory	CN VII (chorda tympani)	CN V3 – lingual branch	Plexus around facial nerve	Sublingual, submandibular glands

Petrosal nerves:

1. Greater petrosal nerve = Parasympathetic CN VII (facial nerve)
2. Lesser petrosal nerve = Parasympathetic CN IX (glossopharyngeal nerve)
3. Deep petrosal nerve = Sympathetic (internal carotid plexus)
4. Nerve of pterygoid canal = Greater petrosal nerve + Deep petrosal nerve