pterygopalatine ganglion

physiology

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June 17, 2026

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The pterygopalatine ganglion, also known as the sphenopalatine ganglion or Meckelian ganglion, is a cluster of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system. It is associated with the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic division.123

The pterygopalatine ganglion receives preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the facial nerve (CN VII) via the intermediate nerve and the greater petrosal nerve. Postganglionic fibers originating from this ganglion innervate glands in the head, including the lacrimal gland (which produces tears), nasal glands, and palatine glands. It also influences the vasculature of the brain and eye.23

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human nervous system
Facial nerve (CN VII or 7)
…nerve, they pass to the pterygopalatine ganglion via the greater petrosal nerve (a branch of the facial nerve) and to the submandibular ganglion by way of the chorda tympani nerve (another branch of the facial nerve, which joins the lingual branch of the mandibular nerve). Postganglionic fibers from the pterygopalatine…
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…nerve, they pass to the pterygopalatine ganglion via the greater petrosal nerve (a branch of the facial nerve) and to the submandibular ganglion by way of the chorda tympani nerve (another branch of the facial nerve, which joins the lingual branch of the mandibular nerve). Postganglionic fibers from the pterygopalatine…
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human nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
…of the axons innervate the pterygopalatine ganglion, and others project to the submandibular ganglion. Pterygopalatine ganglion cells innervate the vasculature of the brain and eye as well as the lacrimal gland, nasal glands, and palatine glands, while neurons of the submandibular ganglion innervate the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. A…
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…of the axons innervate the pterygopalatine ganglion, and others project to the submandibular ganglion. Pterygopalatine ganglion cells innervate the vasculature of the brain and eye as well as the lacrimal gland, nasal glands, and palatine glands, while neurons of the submandibular ganglion innervate the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. A…
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