Superior Salivatory Nucleus - Located in the pontine tegmentum - Visceral motor cranial nerve nucleus of the facial nerve (CN VII) - Projects pre-ganglionic visceral motor parasympathetic efferents to the pterygopalatine ganglion and submandibular ganglion - Sometimes referred to as the lacrimal nucleus

Efferents from Superior Salivatory Nucleus - Preganglionic fibers destined to innervate the lacrimal gland and mucosal glands of the nose, palate, and pharynx form the greater petrosal nerve - Preganglionic fibers destined to innervate the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands form the chorda tympani

Afferents to Superior Salivatory Nucleus - Receives cortical stimuli from the nucleus of solitary tract via the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus - Has reflex connections

Inferior Salivatory Nucleus - Cluster of neurons in the medulla - General visceral efferent (GVE) component of the glossopharyngeal nerve - Supplies parasympathetic input to the parotid gland for salivation - Located caudal to the superior salivatory nucleus and above the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve in the medulla - Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers originate in the inferior salivatory nucleus and pass through the tympanic branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve to reach the otic ganglion

Function of Inferior Salivatory Nucleus - Parasympathetic input from the inferior salivatory nucleus stimulates the parotid gland to produce vasodilation and secrete saliva