These paired ganglia supply all parasympathetic innervation to the head and neck.

• ciliary ganglion (spincter pupillae, ciliary muscle)
• pterygopalatine ganglion (lacrimal gland, glands of nasal cavity)
• submandibular ganglion (submandibular and sublingual glands)
• otic ganglion (parotid gland)

Each has three roots entering the ganglion and a variable number of exiting branches.

• The motor root carries presynaptic parasympathetic nerve fibers (GVE) that terminate in the ganglion by synapsing the postsynaptic fibers traveling to target organs.
• The sympathetic root carries postsynaptic sympathetic fibers (GVE) that traverse the ganglion without synapsing.
• The sensory root carries general sensory fibers (GSA) that also do not synapse in the ganglion.

Some ganglia also carry special sensory fibers (SVA) for taste sensation.

• oculomotor nerve (ciliary ganglion)
• facial nerve (pterygopalatine ganglion, submandibular ganglion)
• glossopharyngeal nerve (otic ganglion)
• vagus nerve (no named ganglion)
• Pelvic splanchnic nerves (no named ganglion)

• Histology image: 04601loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
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• The Autonomic Nervous System from the University of Arizona
• Diagrams
• “Terminal ganglion – Auerbach’s plexus – plastic section”

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