Deep petrosal nerve

The deep petrosal nerve (large deep petrosal nerve) is given off from the carotid plexus, and runs through the carotid canal lateral to the internal carotid artery.

It then enters the cartilaginous substance which fills the foramen lacerum, and joins with the greater superficial petrosal nerve to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal.

It carries postsynaptic sympathetic nerve fibers to the pterygopalatine ganglion.

These fibers innervate blood vessels and mucous glands of the head and neck.