Autonomics of head and neck

Question 1

Describe the sympathetic innervation of the head

Answer 1

From preganglionic axons in upper thoracic spinal cord that synapse with one of 3 cervical ganglia. These axons enter the cranial cavity and travel with the internal carotid artery.
Head supplied via branches of external carotid artery

Question 2

Describe parasympathetic innervation of the head

Answer 2

Axons arise from brainstem nuclei and long preganglionic axons travel with branches of cranial nerves to their target ganglion.

Question 3

Name the 4 parasympathetic ganglia

Answer 3

Ciliary, pterygopalatine, otic and submandibular

Question 4

Describe the ciliary ganglion

Answer 4

Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres from Edinger-Westphal nucleus in midbrain and accompany oculomotor nerve
Axons synapse in the ciliary ganglion and postganglionic fibres run in short ciliary nerves to supply sphincter papillae

Question 5

How do sympathetic fibres reach the eye?

Answer 5

Postganglionic fibres run with internal carotid artery then via long ciliary nerves, supply dilator pupillae muscle

Question 6

Describe pterygopalatine ganglion

Answer 6

Preganglionic fibres from a branch of the facial nerve. After synapsing, postganglionic fibres run with maxillary nerve to lacrimal gland and mucous membranes of nasal cavity and palate

Question 7

Describe otic ganglion

Answer 7

Attached to posterior division of mandibular nerve just below foramen ovale
Preganglionic fibres from glossopharyngeal nerve. Postganglionic fibres travel in auriculotemporal nerve to the parotid gland

Question 8

Describe submandibular ganglion

Answer 8

Attached to lingual nerve
Preganglionic fibres from chorda tympani
Postganglionic fibres supply both the submandibular gland and the sublingual gland