greater petrosal nerve

greater petrosal nerve (plural greater petrosal nerves)

1. (neuroanatomy) A mixed nerve that contains mostly sensory and some parasympathetic fibers, arises in the geniculate ganglion, joins with the deep petrosal nerve at the entrance of the pterygoid canal to form the Vidian nerve, and as part of this nerve sends sensory fibers to the soft palate with some to the Eustachian tube and sends parasympathetic fibers forming the motor root of the pterygopalatine ganglion.

   Synonym: greater superficial petrosal nerve

   Coordinate terms: deep petrosal nerve, lesser petrosal nerve

• “greater petrosal nerve”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.