Nerve of pterygoid canal


The nerve of the pterygoid canal is formed by the junction of the greater petrosal nerve and deep petrosal nerve, which passes from the foramen lacerum to the pterygopalatine fossa through the pterygoid canal.

Structure

The nerve of the pterygoid canal forms from the junction of the greater petrosal nerve and the lesser petrosal nerve within the foreamen lacerum. This combined nerve exits the foramen lacerum and travels to the pterygopalatine fossa through the pterygoid canal in the sphenoid.
The nerve of the pterygoid canal contains axons of both sympathetic and parasympathetic axons, specifically;
The preganglionic parasympathetic axons synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion, which contains the postganglionic neurons which provide secretomotor innervation to the lacrimal gland, as well as the nasal and palatine glands.
The postganglionic sympathetic axons do not synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion, they travel on the branches of the maxillary nerve to provide sympathetic innervation to blood vessels.

Additional images