The Autonomic Ganglia of the Cranial Nerves

In this part of the study, the neurovascular relations of the ciliary, otic, and pterygopalatine ganglia were studied on 20 human cadavers bilaterally. They receive preganglionic fibres through CN III, CN VII, and CN IX nerves. The ciliary ganglion was approached through the anterior cranial fossa and revealed after the removal of neurovascular structures and lateral rectus muscle of the eyeball. The otic ganglion was revealed after pushing the mandibular nerve main trunk upward and backward for visualization of its three roots. The pterygopalatine ganglion was revealed by the sphenoid bone greater wing removal and opening of the pterygopalatine fossa in front of the pterygoid canal. No left-right asymmetry or variations between the corresponding ganglia were observed nor regarding their localization, topography, morphology, and root configuration.