[TA] a branch from the genu of the facial nerve exiting via the hiatus of the facial canal and running in a groove on the anterior surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone beside the foramen lacerum to join the deep petrosal nerve, thus forming the nerve of the pterygoid canal, which passes through the pterygoid canal to reach the pterygopalatine ganglion. SYN: nervus petrosus major [TA], parasympathetic root of pterygopalatine ganglion*, radix intermedia ganglii pterygopalatini*, greater superficial petrosal nerve.