[UW Anatomy |
Contents]
Function:
Preganglionic parasympathetic cells that are involved in the
secretion of saliva from the submandibular and sublingual glands, and
secretion of tears from the lacrimal gland. Part of C.N. VII.
Pathway:
Nuclei lie just MEDIAL to the motor VII (what nucleus lies just
medial to nuc. ambiguus?). Pregang. parasym. fibers arising from the
sup. saliv. nuc. DO NOT pass over the abducens nucleus with motor VII
axons, but instead pass laterally to exit the pons with motor VII
axons (would they be affected by a lesion of the facial colliculus?).
Axons terminate in the submandibular ganglion, which contains post.
gang. para. cells that project to secretary cells in the
submandibular and sublingual glands. Pregang. para. fibers arising in
the lac. nuc. terminate in the pterygo (spheno) palatine ganglion,
which contains cells that proj. to secretory cells in the lac. gland.
Deficits:
Lesion of superior salivatory and lacrimal nuclei results in loss of
saliva secretion from the IPSI. submandibular and sublingual glands,
and loss of tear secretion from IPSI. lacrimal gland.
Other Note:
REMEMBER THAT MORE THAN ONE CELL GROUP IS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION
OF SALIVA, BUT ONLY ONE CELL GROUP IS INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION OF
TEARS.