inferior salivary nucleus

Introduction

A group of preganglionic parasympathetic motor neurons in the reticular formation of the medulla oblongata, dorsal to the nucleus ambiguous & caudal to the superior salivary nucleus.

Efferents

• its axons leave the brainstem with the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
• fibers originating in the inferior salivary nucleus innervate the parotid gland via the otic ganglion
• cell bodies of the inferior salivary nucleus & superior salivary nucleus are scattered & overlapping in regions of the lateral reticular formation.

More general terms

• cranial nerve nucleus

Additional terms

• glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Component of

• medulla oblongata