Parasympathetic Anatomy (Craniosacral Division)

Craniosacral division outflow

parasympathetic outflow

coming from cranial nerves in the brain and sacral spinal cords (S2-S4)

Which four cranial nerves carry parasympathetic fiber (cranial outflow)

CN III (trigeminal), CN VII (Facial), CN IX (glossopharyngeal), CN X (Vagus)

CN III effector organ

oculomotor → eye

CN VII effector organ

facial → salivary, nasal, and lacrimal gland (sweat and tear)

CN IX effector organ

glossopharyngeal → parotid salivary glands

CN X effector organs

Vagus → heart, lungs, and most visceral organs

Which cranial nerve is the main parasympathetic nerve that has 90% of _______

vagus CN X → 90% of all preganglionic fibers

CN III ganglia

oculomotor → ciliary ganglion

CN VII ganglia

Facial →< pterygopalatine ganglion + submandibular ganglion

CN IX ganglia

glossopharyngeal → otic ganglion

CN X ganglia

vagus → within the walls of target organs (intramural ganglia)

Sacral outflow region

S2→S4

Sacral outflow effector organs

Visceral organs in lower abdominopelvic cavity (large intestine, bladder, ureters, reproductive organs)Sa

Sacral outflow ganglia

within the walls of target organs (intramural

Fiber length of parasympathetic nervous system

Long preganglionic and short post ganglionic because the ganglia is in the organ or near

What are the sacral parasympathetic nerves called?

pelvic splanchnic nerves