The superior salivatory nucleus of the facial nerve is a visceromotor cranial nerve nucleus located in the pontine tegmentum. Parasympathetic efferent fibers arise either from small cells of the facial nucleus or within the reticular formation. Some preganglionic fibers travel along the greater petrosal nerve through the pterygoid canal and synapse in the pterygopalatine ganglion, to innervate the lacrimal gland and the mucosal glands of the nose, palate, and pharynx. Other fibers project via the chorda tympani and lingual nerves to the submandibular ganglion, including the submandibular gland and sublingual gland.