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Lesser petrosal nerve

Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

The lesser petrosal nerve carries parasympathetic (secretory) fibers from both the tympanic plexus and the nervus intermedius, to the parotid gland. The tympanic plexus arises from glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) via Jacobson's nerve.

The lesser petrosal nerve originates at the geniculate ganglion, passing forwards through its own canal back into the middle cranial fossa. Here it is between the two layers of the dura mater, passing forwards to exit the skull via foramen ovale to eventually join the otic ganglion.