Summary of parasympathetic ganglion of head and neck region

Para-sympathic ganglion of head and neck

Topics	Ciliary	Pterygopalatine
Nucleus of origin	Edinger-westphal nucleus in midbrain	Superior salivary nucleus in pons
Site of ganglion	Posterior lateral to optic nerve in orbit	Pterygopalatine fossa inferior to maxillary nerve
Preganglionic pathway	3rd nerve via branch to inferior oblique muscle	Facial nerve via greater superficial petrosal nerve & nerve of pterygoid canal
Post-ganglionic pathway	Short ciliary nerves	Greater & lesser palatine nerves &  sphenopalatine nerves Lacrimal nerves
Organ of destination	Ciliary body Sphincter pupillae	Palate Nose Lacrimal gland

Topics	Sub-mandibular	Otic
Nucleus of origin	Superior salivatory nucleus in pons	Inferior salivatory nucleus in medulla
Site of ganglion	On hyoglossus muscle inferior to lingual nerve	Inferior to foramen ovale outside skull
Preganglionic pathway	Facial nerve via chorda tympani & lingual nerve	Glossopharyngeal nerve via tympanic & lesser petrosal branches
Post-ganglionic pathway	Lingual nerve	Auriculotemporal nerve
Organ of destination	Sublingual & submandibular glands	Parotid glands