The spelling of the word "nervus petrosus superficialis minor" may seem daunting at first glance, but with the help of phonetic transcription, it becomes more manageable. The IPA transcription for this word is "ˈnɜːvəs pɪˈtrəʊsəs ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃəlɪs ˈmaɪnər". The word is spelled based on its Latin roots, with "nervus" meaning nerve and "petrosus" meaning rocky. This refers to the location of the nerve near the petrous portion of the temporal bone. "Superficialis" indicates that the nerve is located closer to the surface of the body, and "minor" specifies that it is the smaller of two similar nerves.
The nervus petrosus superficialis minor (NPSm) is a small nerve branch that arises from the facial nerve in humans. It is a motor and sensory nerve that carries parasympathetic and sensory fibers to various structures of the head and neck region.
The NPSm is responsible for carrying parasympathetic fibers to the lacrimal gland, which is responsible for tear production. These fibers travel along with the greater petrosal nerve and reach the pterygopalatine ganglion, where they synapse. From there, postganglionic fibers innervate the lacrimal gland, stimulating the production of tears.
In addition to parasympathetic fibers, the NPSm also contains sensory fibers. These sensory fibers originate from the geniculate ganglion and carry taste information from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue to the brain. They also transmit sensory information from the skin of the external auditory meatus, which is the external part of the ear canal.
Overall, the nervus petrosus superficialis minor plays a crucial role in regulating tear production and carrying taste and sensory information from the tongue and external ear to the brain. Its function is essential for maintaining proper tear secretion and sensory perception in the head and neck region.
Lesser superficial petrosal nerve, the sensory root of the otic ganglion, derived from the tympanic plexus; it leaves the tympanum through the superior tympanic canaliculus and passes within the cranium to the sphenopetrosal fissure, through which or the foramen innominatum it reaches the otic ganglion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.