Sphenopalatine ganglion

The sphenopalatine ganglion is a ganglion belonging to the autonomic nervous system. It receives fibres which come from the brain stem via certain cranial nerves and sends itself fibres to the glands and tissues of the face, like the lachrymal gland, the glands of the nasal and palatine mucosae and eye vessels. It is located just behind the upper jaw, lateral to the upper nasal cavity, in the pterygoplatine fossa. It is involved in the autonomic symptoms of cluster headache attacks and, via its connections with the trigeminal system, in the pain.