Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers destined for the lacrimal gland leave the zygomatic branch of the maxillary nerve through a communicating branch to hitchhike along which nerve into the gland?

• A Frontal nerve
• B Infraorbital nerve
• C Lacrimal nerve ✓
• D Nasociliary nerve

Explanation

Secretomotor fibers synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion, pass into the maxillary nerve, travel in its zygomatic branch, and then cross via a communicating branch into the lacrimal nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic division, which delivers them to the gland. The frontal and nasociliary nerves are sensory branches of V1 with no glandular supply, and the infraorbital nerve continues forward onto the face rather than turning superolaterally to the gland.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.