Which cranial nerve carries parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland?

The cranial nerve that carries parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland is the glossopharyngeal nerve. This nerve, also known as cranial nerve IX, is responsible for providing parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland via the otic ganglion. When the glossopharyngeal nerve is stimulated, it releases acetylcholine, which activates the secretion of saliva from the parotid gland, essential for the digestive process and oral health.

This specific parasympathetic pathway begins with the glossopharyngeal nerve fibers originating in the brainstem and travel to the otic ganglion, where they synapse. From the otic ganglion, postganglionic fibers then innervate the parotid gland.

Understanding the function of the other cranial nerves is important too. The trigeminal nerve plays a key role in sensory functions of the face and motor functions for mastication, but it does not innervate the parotid gland parasympathetically. The facial nerve primarily supplies the submandibular and sublingual glands, while the vagus nerve is more involved with thoracic and abdominal parasympathetic innervation rather than the parotid