The greater petrosal nerve carries parasympathetic preganglionic fibers from the facial nerve. The greater petrosal nerve joins with the deep petrosal nerve (postganglionic sympathetic axons from the internal carotid plexus) continues and continues as the nerve of the pterygoid canal and ultimately synapses with the pterygopalatine ganglion whose parasympathetic postganglionic fibers synapse with the lacrimal gland and the mucosal glands lining the nasal cavity and palate.