Anatomy & Histology · single question
Which nerve innervates the submandibular salivary gland with parasympathetic secretomotor fibers?
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Correct answer: A. Facial nerve (CN VII) via chorda tympani
The submandibular gland receives parasympathetic (secretomotor) innervation from the facial nerve (CN VII) via the chorda tympani. The pathway is: facial nerve → chorda tympani → joins lingual nerve → submandibular ganglion → postganglionic fibers to submandibular and sublingual glands. The parotid gland gets parasympathetics from CN IX (glossopharyngeal via otic ganglion).
- A. ✅ CORRECT – CN VII (facial) via chorda tympani → lingual nerve → submandibular ganglion → submandibular and sublingual glands.
- B. ❌ The lingual nerve carries chorda tympani fibers to the submandibular ganglion but is not itself the source of the secretomotor innervation.
- C. ❌ CN XII (hypoglossal) innervates intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles — no secretomotor function for salivary glands.
- D. ❌ CN IX (glossopharyngeal) provides parasympathetic innervation to the PAROTID gland via the otic ganglion — not the submandibular.
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