The inferior salivatory nucleus is located within the dorsal pons, medial to the nucleus ambiguus. Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers exit the medulla dorsolaterally to the inferior olive and pass to the otic ganglion. Axons arising from cells in otic ganglion terminate on secretory cells in the parotid gland, allowing for the secretion of saliva. Therefore, this nucleus functions as a visceromotor component of cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal).