0 relating to the nerves in front of the ganglion (= a mass of nerve cells): --
preganglionic fibres
These fibers continue on into the spinal cord where they synapse with preganglionic autonomic neurons.
The activity of autonomic ganglionic neurons is modulated by preganglionic neurons (also called, improperly but classically, visceral motoneurons) located in the central nervous system.
This is due to the number of synapses formed by the preganglionic fibers with ganglionic neurons.
The greater petrosal nerve, which carries sensory fibers as well as preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, emerges from the anterior aspect of the ganglion.
However, the location of the preganglionic cells in nonprimate mammalian species has been more difficult to specify.
Of the remaining preganglionic motoneurons, roughly 20% of the total are located dorsal to the oculomotor nucleus.
Descriptions of the extent and precise location of the preganglionic motoneuron distribution have varied between studies.
The quantitative description of this distribution demonstrated that, despite an apparently diffuse organization, the location of preganglionic motoneurons in the cat is highly stereotypic.
