Corpus: Lesser palatine nerves: Unterschied zwischen den Versionen

The lesser palatine nerves are branches of the maxillary nerve (V2) that originate from the pterygopalatine ganglion.

The lesser palatine nerves descend behind the greater palatine nerve in the lesser palatine canal to the palate. They reach the palate along with the lesser palatine arteries through the lesser palatine foramina. Upon reaching the palate, they distribute within the tissue of the soft palate.

Parasympathetic fibers from the greater petrosal nerve and sympathetic fibers from the deep petrosal nerve join the lesser palatine nerves at the pterygopalatine ganglion.

The lesser palatine nerves provide sensory innervation to the oral mucosa of the soft palate, the palatopharyngeal arch, the palatine tonsil, and the supratonsillar fossa. They also carry sensory taste fibers from the soft palate to the intermediate nerve. Additionally, they innervate the small salivary glands of the palatal mucosa.

These nerves also contain motor fibers from the facial nerve and the glossopharyngeal nerve, which innervate the palatopharyngeal muscle, the uvular muscle, and the levator veli palatini muscle.