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an autonomic ganglion whose postganglionic fibers are distributed to the parotid gland

an autonomic ganglion whose postganglionic fibers are distributed to the parotid gland

This is a small ganglion, although more than double the size of the ophthalmic, ash-coloured and pulpy like the ganglions of the sympathetic. It is situate in advance of the ganglion of Gasser, on the lower surface of the inferior maxillary nerve, at the inner margin of the foramen ovale of the sphenoid bone. See Petrous ganglion.

A small ganglion situated immediately below the foramen ovale. Its branches of distribution are a filament to the tensor tympani and one to the tensor palati.