The distribution of the chorda tympani in the middle ear area in man and two other primates.

A serial section study of the distribution of the chorda tympani in the middle ear area was carried out in man, baboon and monkey. The tissues innervated by the chorda tympani could be related to a branchiomeric pattern. The early branches distributed post-trematic facial nerve fibres to hyoid arch tissues, where they were joined by elements from glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. The rest of the distribution was to structures derived from mandibular arch tissue where branches of the auriculotemporal nerve were also present. Contributions to perivascular plexuses were noted as well as a connexion with the otic ganglion.