[TA] the nerve constituting the parasympathetic and sympathetic root of the pterygopalatine ganglion; it is formed in the region of the foramen lacerum by the union of the greater and deep petrosal nerves and runs through the pterygoid canal to the pterygopalatine fossa. SYN: nervus canalis pterygoidei [TA], facial root, radix facialis, vidian nerve.
