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PIXBRAIN HOME _ _ MOD 8 HOME _ _ previous _ _ FIGURE 8-8_ _ next _ _ I WANT TO As you know, the autonomic nervous system is made up of two parts - the sympathetic (thoracolumbar) system and the parasympathetic (craniosacral). Both systems have 2 neuron pathways , involving preganglionic and postganglionic neurons. Here , we are looking at the cranial part of the parasympathetic nervous system, and the nuclei you see contain preganglionic neurons. The neurons in the Superior Salivatory Nucleus will send axons out in the Facial Nerve: the ones in the Inferior Salivatory Nucleus contribute axons to the Glossopharyngeal Nerve, and the ones in the Dorsal Motor Nucleus of the Vagus contribute axons to the Vagus Nerve. We shouldn't forget the Nucleus of Edinger-Westphal. It contributes parasympathetic axons to the oculomotor nerve... yes, it's not a branchiomeric nerve, but it does have parasympathetic fibers in it. Go figure! For more information about these GVE (parasympathetic) fibers, see the views of the individual cranial nerves.
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