Posterior branch of lingual nerve to submandibular ganglion - Cranial nerves - Mandibular nerve; Mandibular division [Vc; V3] - e-Anatomy
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Posterior branch of lingual nerve to submandibular ganglion

Ramus posterior ganglionicus submandibularis nervi lingualis

  • Latin synonym: Radix parasympathica ganglii submandibularis; Ramus ganglionaris submandibularis posterior nervi lingualis
  • Synonym: Parasympathetic root of submandibular ganglion
  • Related terms: Posterior branch to submandibular ganglion; Ganglionic branches to submandibular ganglion; Sensory root of submandibular ganglion

Definition

Posterior branch of lingual nerve to submandibular ganglion is a distinct branch which arises as the lingual nerve courses inside the lower gingival sulcus underneath the lingual mucosa, but superficial to the submandibular gland and ganglion. The posterior branch interconnects the lingual nerve and the submandibular ganglion and serves to transmit the preganglionic parasympathetic neurons–from the inferior salivatory nucleus of facial nerve–to the ganglion. The pre-ganglionic neurons originally entered the lingual nerve via chorda tympani and subsequently synapse with cell bodies of post-ganglionic parasympathetic neurons inside the submandibular ganglion. The postganglionic neurons innervate both submandibular and sublingual salivary glands and are secretomotor.

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