Pterygopalatine ganglion
| Pterygopalatine ganglion | |
|---|---|
Alveolar branches of superior maxillary nerve and pterygopalatine ganglion | |
The pterygopalatine ganglion and its branches (pterygopalatine ganglion visible but not labeled, as large yellow ganglion in upper-right center) | |
| Details | |
| From | Maxillary nerve and nerve of pterygoid canal |
| To | Greater palatine nerve, lesser palatine nerve, posterior lateral nasal branches and nasopalatine nerve |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ganglion pterygopalatinum |
| TA98 | A14.3.02.006 |
| TA2 | 6665 |
| FMA | 6965 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The pterygopalatine ganglion (aka Meckel's ganglion, nasal ganglion, or sphenopalatine ganglion) is a parasympathetic ganglion in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is one of four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, (the others being the submandibular, otic, and ciliary ganglion).
It is innervated by the Vidian nerve (formed by the greater superficial petrosal nerve branch of the facial nerve and deep petrosal nerve) and maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Its postsynaptic axons project to the lacrimal glands and nasal mucosa.
The flow of blood to the nasal mucosa, in particular the venous plexus of the conchae, is regulated by the pterygopalatine ganglion and heats or cools the air in the nose.