The deep petrosal nerve (large deep petrosal nerve) is given off from the carotid plexus

Carotid plexus

Carotid plexus can refer to:* Common carotid plexus* Internal carotid plexus* External carotid plexus...

, and runs through the carotid canal

Carotid canal

On the interior surface of the temporal bone, behind the rough surface of the apex, is the large circular aperture of the carotid canal, which ascends at first vertically, and then, making a bend, runs horizontally forward and medialward.-Contents:...

 lateral to the internal carotid artery

Internal carotid artery

In human anatomy, the internal carotid arteries are two major arteries, one on each side of the head and neck. They arise from the common carotid arteries where these bifurcate into the internal and external carotid artery, and they supply the brain....

.

It then enters the cartilaginous substance which fills the foramen lacerum

Foramen lacerum

The foramen lacerum is a triangular hole in the base of the skull located at the base of the medial pterygoid plate.-Transit through the foramen lacerum:...

, and joins with the greater superficial petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal, also known as the Vidian nerve.

It carries postsynaptic sympathetic

Sympathetic nervous system

The sympathetic nervous system is one of the three parts of the autonomic nervous system, along with the enteric and parasympathetic systems. Its general action is to mobilize the body's nervous system fight-or-flight response...

 nerve fibers to the pterygopalatine ganglion

Pterygopalatine ganglion

The pterygopalatine ganglion is a parasympathetic ganglion found in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is one of four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck....

, also known as the sphenopalatine ganglion.

These fibers innervate blood vessels and mucous glands of the head and neck.

External links

• Table at doctor_uae