Which ganglion provides parasympathetic secretomotor innervation to the parotid gland via the auriculotemporal nerve?

• A Pterygopalatine ganglion
• B Submandibular ganglion
• C Ciliary ganglion
• D Otic ganglion ✓

Explanation

The otic ganglion (located just below the foramen ovale on the medial aspect of the mandibular nerve) receives preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the inferior salivatory nucleus via the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), the lesser petrosal nerve, and ultimately synapses in the ganglion. Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers hitchhike on the auriculotemporal branch of V3 to reach and stimulate the parotid gland. The pterygopalatine ganglion supplies lacrimal and nasal glands; the submandibular ganglion supplies the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands via the chorda tympani.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.