[citation needed] Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres arise in the superior salivary nucleus of the pontine tegmentum.

The nervus intermedius exits the cranial cavity at the internal auditory meatus, and joins with the motor root of the facial nerve at the geniculate ganglion.

While preganglionic parasympathetic fibres pass through the geniculate ganglion, they neither synapse, nor have their cell bodies located there.

[citation needed] Preganglionic parasympathetic fibres exit the geniculate ganglion as the greater petrosal nerve.

[1]: 370 The greater petrosal nerve enters the petrous part of the temporal bone and travels anteromedially through it at a 45° angle.