Parasympathetic ganglion

Parasympathetic ganglion
	Autonomic nervous system innervation, showing the sympathetic and parasympathetic (craniosacral) systems, in red and blue, respectively
Details
Identifiers
Latin	ganglion parasympathicum
MeSH	D005726
TA	A14.2.00.012
FMA	5894
	Anatomical terminology

Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system. Most are small terminal ganglia or intramural ganglia, so named because they lie near or within (respectively) the organs they innervate. The exceptions are the four paired parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck.

Of the head and neck

These paired ganglia supply all parasympathetic innervation to the head and neck.

ciliary ganglion (sphincter pupillae, ciliary muscle)
pterygopalatine ganglion (lacrimal gland, glands of nasal cavity)
submandibular ganglion (submandibular and sublingual glands)
otic ganglion (parotid gland)

Roots

Each has three roots entering the ganglion and a variable number of exiting branches.

The motor root carries presynaptic parasympathetic nerve fibers (GVE) that terminate in the ganglion and synapse with the postsynaptic fibers that, in turn, project to target organs.
The sympathetic root carries postsynaptic sympathetic fibers (GVE) that traverse the ganglion without synapsing.
The sensory root carries general sensory fibers (GSA) that also do not synapse in the ganglion.

Some ganglia also carry special sensory fibers (SVA) for taste sensation.

Nerves supplying parasympathetic fibers

Parasympathetic ganglia of the head

oculomotor nerve (ciliary ganglion)
facial nerve (pterygopalatine ganglion, submandibular ganglion)
glossopharyngeal nerve (otic ganglion)
vagus nerve (no named ganglion)
pelvic splanchnic nerves

External links

Histology image: 04601loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
Autonomics of the Head and Neck - Page 4 of 14 anatomy module at med.umich.edu
The Autonomic Nervous System from the University of Arizona
Diagrams
"Terminal ganglion - Auerbach's plexus - plastic section"

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