This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Facial nerve(intrapetrous branches)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The important intrapetrous branches of the facial nerve are:

  • the greater petrosal nerve: - arises from the geniculate ganglion - parasympathetic nerves pass to the pterygopalatine ganglion and provide secretomotor innervation to the lacrimal glands and glands of the nose

  • the nerve to stapedius: - arises from the facial nerve as it descends in the facial canal posterior to the tympanic cavity - supplies the stapedius muscle

  • the chorda tympani: - arises from the facial nerve just above the stylohyoid foramen - runs across the tympanic membrane, crossing the handle of the malleus, in the interval between the mucous and fibrous layers of the tympanic membrane - carries taste fibres from the anterior two thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth and the soft palate

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.