Question

A 28-year-old woman was in the emergency room weeping over the death of her husband. Which of the following corresponds to the origin of the pre- and postganglionic parasympathetic fibers that innervate the lacrimal glands?

a. Superior salivatory nucleus; submandibular ganglion
b. Nucleus of Edinger-Wesphal; ciliary ganglion
C Inferior salivatory nucleus; otic ganglion
d. Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus; ciliary ganglion
e. Superior salivatory nucleus; pterygopalatine ganghon

Answer 1

The origin of the preganglionic fibers innervating the lacrimal glands is the superior salivatory nucleus, and these fibers synapse at the pterygopalatine ganglion before reaching their target.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which nuclei and ganglion are responsible for providing parasympathetic innervation to the lacrimal glands, which are involved in tear production. The correct answer is that the preganglionic parasympathetic fibers responsible for innervating the lacrimal glands originate in the superior salivatory nucleus and then synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion. The postganglionic fibers from this ganglion then proceed to innervate the lacrimal glands.