[TA] a root of the facial nerve containing sensory fibers for taste from the anterior two thirds of the tongue with cell bodies that are located in the geniculate ganglion and presynaptic parasympathetic autonomic fibers with cell bodies that are located in the superior salivatory nucleus, i.e., the fibers that are eventually conveyed by the greater petrosal nerve and via the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve to the lingual nerve. SYN: nervus intermedius [TA], intermediary nerve, portio intermedia, Wrisberg nerve (2).