The nerve of the pterygoid canal (Vidian nerve), formed by the junction of the great petrosal nerve and the deep petrosal nerve in the cartilaginous substance which fills the foramen lacerum, passes forward, through the pterygoid canal, with the corresponding artery (artery of the pterygoid canal), and is joined by a small ascending sphenoidal branch from the otic ganglion.

Finally, it enters the pterygopalatine fossa, and joins the posterior angle of the sphenopalatine ganglion.

It contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the greater petrosal nerve, a branch of the facial nerve, and postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the deep petrosal nerve.