It is located posterior to the groove for the superior petrosal sinus and posterolateral to the jugular foramen.
It enters the middle cranial fossa through the greater (superficial) petrosal foramen (on the anterior surface of the petrous temporal bone).
The first is the greater petrosal nerve and the second is the chorda tympani.
The mucous membranes receive their postganglionic parasympathetic nerve innervation for mucous secretion originating from the greater petrosal nerve (a branch of the facial nerve).
The visceral motor fibers pass through this plexus and merge to become the lesser petrosal nerve.
Division of the superior petrosal sinus may be required to gain sufficient access to the posterior fossa with larger tumors.
Also, to prevent peduncular hallucinosis and other complications due to venous congestion, these types of surgeries should protect the petrosal vein when possible.
The greater petrosal nerve, which carries sensory fibers as well as preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, emerges from the anterior aspect of the ganglion.
