This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Facial Nerve And Its Disorders, Subject name: ENT
First branch of the facial nerve is: 
Select and explain. 
A. Greater petrosal nerve, B. Lesser petrosal nerve, C. Chorda tympani nerve, D. Nerve to the stapedius
A: Greater petrosal nerve
Answer: A: Greater petrosal nerve 
Explanation: (a) Greater petrosal nerve(Ref. Scott Brown, 6th ed., 1385)The greater superficial petrosal nerve arises from the geniculate ganglion at the first genu. This is the first branch.The 2nd branch is the nerve to the stapedius given at the pyramid.The 3rd is the chorda tympani given 4-6mm before the exit of facial nerve from stylomastoid foramen.Lesser superficial petrosal nerve is not a branch of facial. It arises from tympanic plexus and supplies the Otic ganglion. Otic ganglion is for the parasympathetic supply to the parotid. Secretomotor fibres to the parotid arise from glossopharyngeal nerve, reach the otic ganglion through the lesser superficial petrosal nerve via the tympanic plexus and then reach the parotid through the auriculotemporal nerve arising from the otic ganglion.