The facial nerve controls tears and saliva; which glands are affected?

The facial nerve controls tears and saliva; which glands are affected?

• A. Tears and salivary glands
• B. Salivary glands only
• C. Lacrimal gland only
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (A)

The facial nerve carries parasympathetic fibers that stimulate secretion from both the lacrimal glands (tears) and several salivary glands. Tear production occurs when the greater petrosal nerve reaches the pterygopalatine ganglion and fibers reach the lacrimal gland via the zygomatic branch to the lacrimal nerve. Salivation is driven by the chorda tympani, which joins the lingual nerve to reach the submandibular ganglion and then innervates the submandibular and sublingual glands (as well as some minor glands). The parotid gland, however, is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve, not the facial nerve, so it is not part of this pattern. So the glands affected by the facial nerve in tears and saliva are the lacrimal glands and the salivary glands.

The facial nerve carries parasympathetic fibers that stimulate secretion from both the lacrimal glands (tears) and several salivary glands. Tear production occurs when the greater petrosal nerve reaches the pterygopalatine ganglion and fibers reach the lacrimal gland via the zygomatic branch to the lacrimal nerve. Salivation is driven by the chorda tympani, which joins the lingual nerve to reach the submandibular ganglion and then innervates the submandibular and sublingual glands (as well as some minor glands). The parotid gland, however, is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve, not the facial nerve, so it is not part of this pattern. So the glands affected by the facial nerve in tears and saliva are the lacrimal glands and the salivary glands.