Which nerve carries parasympathetic fibers to the lacrimal gland as part of CN VII pathway?

• A. Greater petrosal nerve
• B. Chorda tympani
• C. Petrosal nerve
• D. Tympanic nerve

Answer: (A)

Parasympathetic innervation to the lacrimal gland travels with the facial nerve and specifically uses the greater petrosal nerve. Preganglionic fibers originate in the superior salivatory nucleus and ride along the greater petrosal nerve, then join the deep petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal, where they synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion. From there, postganglionic fibers hitchhike with the zygomatic nerve (V2) and then reach the lacrimal gland via the lacrimal branch of V1 to stimulate tear production.

Chorda tympani is involved in autonomic fibers to the submandibular/sublingual glands and taste, not the lacrimal gland. The tympanic nerve relates to IX pathways toward the tympanic cavity and otic ganglion, not lacrimal innervation. The term petrosal nerve can be ambiguous, but the specific branch carrying CN VII parasympathetics to lacrimal gland is the greater petrosal nerve.