Auriculotemporal Nerve Parasympathetics — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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HardAnatomy (Head & Neck)Auriculotemporal Nerve ParasympatheticsMFDS Part 1

Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres arising from the inferior salivatory nucleus travel in the glossopharyngeal nerve, pass through the tympanic plexus and lesser petrosal nerve, and synapse in the otic ganglion. Their postganglionic fibres then join the auriculotemporal nerve. Which gland receives secretomotor innervation through this pathway?

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Correct answer: D — Parotid gland

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · A = shown as D · B = shown as E

A is correct. Parotid secretomotor fibres originate in the inferior salivatory nucleus and run with the glossopharyngeal nerve, tympanic branch and plexus, and lesser petrosal nerve before synapsing in the otic ganglion. Postganglionic fibres reach the parotid gland by hitchhiking along the auriculotemporal branch of V3. The submandibular and sublingual glands receive parasympathetic fibres from the facial nerve through the chorda tympani, lingual nerve and submandibular ganglion. Lacrimal secretomotor fibres travel through the greater petrosal nerve and pterygopalatine ganglion before joining trigeminal branches. Minor palatal glands are also supplied through the pterygopalatine ganglion rather than the otic ganglion.

Reference: Das JM, Breiner MJ. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Auriculotemporal Nerve. StatPearls [Internet], updated 13 May 2026. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31334960/