The pterygopalatine ganglion story - after the synapse
Postganglionic fibers leave the pterygopalatine ganglion within branches of the maxillary division of trigeminal nerve (V2). Some of these branches go to mucous membranes in the nose, paranasal sinuses, palate, and upper pharynx. One branch, the zygomatic nerve, passes through the inferior orbital fissure into the orbit. It runs superiorly up the lateral wall of the orbit, and splits into zygomaticotemporal and zygomaticofacial branches. The postganglionic parasympathetic fibers continue with the zygomaticotemporal nerve, then leave as a communicating branch to reach the lacrimal nerve, a branch of ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve (V1). Lacrimal nerve carries these secretomotor fibers the last millimeters to reach the lacrimal gland, and then continues on to innervate skin of the upper eyelid laterally.
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