The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the superior olivary nucleus over time, from its formation to the mature structure. In mice, the superior olivary nucleus is a small cylindrical mass on the dorsal surface of the lateral part of the trapezoid body of the pons, and it is situated immediately above the inferior olivary nucleus. It receives projections from the cochlear nucleus and thus is involved in the perception of sound. [ GOC:jid GOC:cls GOC:dgh http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 GOC:dph https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0838580343 ]