General Arrangement Of the Nerves

Sensory Innervation: The cell bodies for the sensory fibers of all cranial nerves are located in the parasympathetic ganglia (see below) or special sensory organs.

Sympathetic Innervation: The sympathetic fibers mostly run along the internal and external carotid arteries to get to their target organs.

1. Superior Cervical Ganglion: The highest sympathetic chain ganglia, which contains synapses for all the major sympathetic fibers for the head and neck region.
2. External Carotid Artery: Post-Ganglionic sympathetics run along the external carotid to supply the salivary glands and lower face.
3. Internal Carotid Artery: Larger portion of sympathetics run along internal carotid, forming the internal carotid plexus.
4. INTERNAL CAROTID PLEXUS: In cavernous sinus (probably).
   

1. Deep Petrosal Nerve: Given off of the internal carotid plexus within the cavernous sinus.

o From there it goes to Pterygopalatine Fossa and onto nose, palate, and lacrimal glands.

2. Sympathetic Root of Ciliary Ganglion: The internal carotid plexus also sends a sympathetic branch to the Ciliary Ganglion; where it then goes on to form the Long Ciliary Nerve, which will innervate the dilator pupillae muscle of the eye.
   

Parasympathetic Innervation: All Parasympathetic motor innervation to the head synapses exactly once, in one of the four cranial ganglia listed below. All of these ganglia are distributed along branches of theTrigeminal Nerve (V).

1. CILIARY GANGLION: Carries parasympathetics from Oculomotor Nerve (III)
• Located in the posterior of the orbit.
• GVE (Parasympathetic) innervation is to:

1. Ciliary Muscles (for Accommodation)

2. Sphincter of the Pupil (constriction, or miosis).

• It hangs off of the Ophthalmic Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve (V1)
  

2. PTERYGOPALATINE GANGLION: Carries parasympathetics from Facial Nerve (VII)

1. Located in the Pterygopalatine Fossa in the posterior part of sphenoid bone.

2. GVE (Parasympathetic) innervation is to:

o Nose

o Palate

o Lacrimal Glands

3. It hangs off of the Maxillary Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve (V2).

3. SUBMANDIBULAR GANGLION: Carries parasympathetics from Facial Nerve (VII)

1. Located below and lateral to the tongue.

2. GVE (Parasympathetic) innervation is to:

o Submandibular Gland

o Sublingual Gland

3. It hangs off of the Mandibular Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve (V3).

4. OTIC GANGLION: Carries parasympathetics from Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

1. Located in Intratemporal Fossa, just below Foramen Ovale.

2. GVE (Parasympathetic) innervation is to the Parotid Salivary Gland.

3. It hangs off of the Mandibular Branch of the Trigeminal Nerve (V3)

5. VAGUS NERVE (CN X)

1. There is no parasympathetic ganglion in the head for the vagus nerve.

2. Sends parasympathetic innervation to the thoracic and abdominal viscera.

Category: Anatomy Notes