The salivatory nuclei are pre-ganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the caudal pons representing the general visceral efferent (GVE) cranial nerve nuclei giving rise to axons which join (the intermediate nerve component of) the facial nerve (CN VII) and glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) to reach and innervate the salivary as well as lacrimal glands. The nuclei may also be involved in parasympathetic control of (extracranial and intracranial) head vasculature.[1]
Traditionally, they have been subdivided into a superior salivatory nucleus and inferior salivatory nucleus - whose axons join the CN VII and CN IX, respectively - however, their respective neurons do not actually form distinguishable structures.[1]
The pathways of salivary nuclei are:[1]
The salivary nuclei are located in the pontine tegmentum.[2]
The nucleus receives cortical stimuli from the nucleus of solitary tract via the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus and reflex connections.[3]
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)