Autonomic nerves Flashcards
What are the parasympathetic ganglia in the head & neck and which cranial nerves are the preganglionic fibres carried by?
- Ciliary ganglion - [III]
- Pterygopalatine ganglion - [VII]
- Submandibular ganglion - [VII]
- Otic ganglion - [IX]
What are the parasympathetic nuclei of the head & neck?
- Edinger-Wesphal nucleus - [III]
- Superior salivary nucleus - [VII]
- Inferior salivary nucleus - [IX]
What is the course of the parasympathetics nerves to and from the ciliary ganglion?
- Fibres begin at the Edinger-Wesphal nucleus.
- They are carried by the oculomotor nerve [III] through the cavernous sinus, superior orbital fissure, to the ciliary ganglion in the orbit.
- Post-ganglionic fibres are carried by the nasociliary/short ciliary nerves (branches of [Va]) to the innervated structures.
What is the location of the ciliary ganglion?
Between optic nerve and lateral rectus (at apex of orbit)
What is the source of sympathetic fibres to the ciliary ganglion?
Opthalmic artery (from ICA)
What are the structures innnervated by the ciliary ganglion?
- Ciliary muscles
- Constrictor pupillae
What is the source of sympathetic fibres to the pterygopalatine ganglion?
Deep petrosal nerve (from ICA)
What is the course of the parasympathetics nerves to and from the pterygopalatine ganglion?
- Fibres originate from the superior salivary nucleus.
- They are carried by the nervus intermedius of the facial nerve [VII] through the internal acoustic meatus to the geniculate nucleus.
- At the geniculate nucleus, the greater petrosal nerve is given off and enters middle cranial fossa through hiatus of facial canal.
- In MCF, it joins the deep petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal.
- Nerve of pterygoid canal exits MCF through pterygoid canal to enter pterygopalatine ganglion, where fibres synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion.
- Post-ganglionic fibres are initially carried by branches of V2 (Infraorbital → Zygomatic → Zygomaticotemporal), then V1 (lacrimal) to target organs.
What are the structures innervated by the pterygopalatine ganglion?
- Mucosal glands of:
- Nose
- Nasopharynx
- Paranasal sinuses
- Soft palate - Lacrimal glands
What is the location of the otic ganglion?
In infratemporal fossa below foramen ovale
What is the course of the parasympathetics nerves to and from the submandibular ganglion?
- Fibres originate from the superior salivary nucleus.
- They are carried by the nervus intermedius of the facial nerve [VII] through the internal acoustic meatus to the geniculate ganglion.
- After the geniculate ganglion, the fibres are carried by the chorda tympani, then the lingual nerve (V3) to the submandibular ganglion, where they synapse with post-ganglionic fibres.
- The post-ganglionic fibres then reach the target structures in fibres straight from the ganglion, or are carried by the lingual nerve to their target.
What are the structures innervated by the submandibular ganglion?
- Submandibular gland
- Sublingual gland
- Anterior lingual/mucosal glands
What is the location of the submandibular ganglion?
Superior to the deep lobe of the submandibular gland at the posterior border of the mylohyoid.
What is the source of sympathetic fibres to the submandibular ganglion?
Facial artery (from ECA)
What is the course of the parasympathetics nerves to and from the otic ganglion?
- Fibres originate from the inferior salivary ganglion.
- They are carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve [IX], and then in its tympanic branch near the middle ear.
- The tympanic branch of [IX] enters the middle ear where it joins the lesser petrosal nerve at the tympanic plexus.
- The lesser petrosal nerve enters the middle cranial fossa, and then passes into the infratemporal fossa.
- In the infratemporal fossa, the lesser petrosal nerve joins the otic ganglion where the pre-ganglionic fibres synapse with the post-ganglionic fibres.
- Post-ganglionic fibres are carried to the innervated structures by the auriculotemporal nerve (V3).
