Deep petrosal nerve

In a nutshell

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. It then passes perpendicular to the carotid canal in the cartilaginous substance which fills the foramen lacerum to unite with the (parasympathetic) greater petrosal nerve (a branch of the facial nerve (CV VII)) to form the nerve of pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve). Through this connection it conveys sympathetic fibers through the pterygopalatine ganglion without synapsing. These post-ganglionic fibers are distributed to the nasal cavity, palate, and lacrimal gland via branches of the maxillary nerve. The deep petrosal nerve contributes to autonomic regulation of glandular secretion and vascular tone in regions of the nasal cavity and palate and is relevant in surgical approaches involving the pterygopalatine fossa.

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Anatomy

The path of the fibers from the spine to the lacrimal gland is as follows: 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 that subsequently give synapse with neurons of the deep petrosal nerve reside in the intermediate grey column of the spinal cord at around the spinal level of T1. The pre-ganglionic axons ascend in the sympathetic trunk to synapse at the superior cervical ganglion where the cell bodies of the fibres of the deep petrosal nerve are situated. The post-ganglionic fibres do not synapse again and ultimately innervate their target tissues directly.

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Anatomy

Origin

Function

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