The submandibular ganglion story - synapsing, and beyond
Chorda tympani carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers that pass to the submandibular ganglion. There, some of these fibers synapse and return to the lingual nerve to travel anteriorly to reach the sublingual gland, to be secretomotor there. Other fibers pass through the submandibular ganglion to reach the submandibular gland, and synapse within the gland on diffuse postsynaptic neurons, to be secretomotor to this gland.
Chorda tympani not only carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, but it also carries sensory fibers for taste for the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. These fibers travel into the tongue with the lingual nerve to reach the taste buds on the dorsum and sides of the tongue.
|