Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland hitchhike with which nerve?

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Postganglionic parasympathetic fibers destined for the parotid gland originate in the otic ganglion after preganglionic fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve synapse there. Once they exit the otic ganglion, these postganglionic fibers hitchhike on the auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, traveling with it to reach the parotid gland. This arrangement lets the parasympathetic signal reach the parotid to stimulate saliva production.

Other nerves mentioned aren’t involved in carrying parasympathetic fibers to the parotid. The greater petrosal nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetics to the pterygopalatine ganglion for lacrimal and nasal mucosa, not the parotid. The glossopharyngeal nerve provides the preganglionic input to the otic ganglion but does not itself ride to the parotid. The hypoglossal nerve is a motor nerve with no parasympathetic role in salivation.