The nervus intermedius (intermediate nerve) is a component of CN VII. Which functional fibre types does it carry?

• A Special visceral afferent (taste) + general visceral efferent (parasympathetic) only
• B Special visceral efferent (branchial motor) + general visceral efferent (parasympathetic)
• C General somatic afferent (pain from ear) + special visceral afferent (taste) + general visceral efferent (parasympathetic) ✓
• D General visceral efferent (parasympathetic) + general somatic efferent (motor) only

Explanation

The nervus intermedius is the sensory and parasympathetic root of the facial nerve. It carries: (1) SVA — taste from the anterior 2/3 tongue and soft palate via chorda tympani and greater petrosal nerve; (2) GVE — preganglionic parasympathetic to submandibular and pterygopalatine ganglia; (3) GSA — general somatic afferents from a small area of skin on the auricle (posterior auricular skin, external auditory meatus area) — these have cell bodies in the geniculate ganglion. The branchial motor fibres (SVE, for muscles of facial expression) are the main root of CN VII and are NOT part of nervus intermedius.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.