Auriculotemporal Nerve

Origin

The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the posterior division of the mandibular nerve. It originates as two branches, a sensory branch from the posterior division whose cell bodies are in the trigeminal ganglion, and a parasympathetic branch that originates in the otic ganglion.

Course

The sensory branch of the auriculotemporal nerve arises from the posterior division of the mandibular nerve and runs posteriorly, superficial to the middle meningeal artery. The parasympathetic branch originates in the otic ganglion and runs posteriorly, deep to the middle meningeal artery. Posterior to the middle meningeal artery, the two branches of the auriculotemporal nerve merge and continue posteriorly.

The auriculotemporal nerve wraps around the posteromedial surface of the temporomandibular joint before ascending along the deep posterior surface of the parotid gland. It meets up with the superficial temporal artery and vein and follows this vasculature up to the posterior temple, embedded within the temporalis fascia.

Branches

The auriculotemporal nerve gives rise to a number of small sensory nerves as well as the parasympathetic fibers that innervate the parotid gland. These include the:

—superficial temporal branches;

—nerve to the external acoustic meatus;

—anterior auricular branches;

—articular branch;

—parotid branches;

—communicating branch to the otic ganglion.

Supplied Structures

The auriculotemporal nerve is a mixed nerve. It is primarily sensory, conveying general sense information from areas of the posterior temple and anterior ear. It also transmits parasympathetic innervation to the parotid gland. The specific targets of the auriculotemporal nerve are listed below.

The superficial temporal branches convey general sense information from the posterior temple up to the crown of the head. These fibers innervate skin that is bordered anteriorly by skin innervated by the maxillary nerve and posteriorly by skin innervated by the lesser occipital nerve.

Nerves to the external acoustic meatus convey general sense information from the skin of the external acoustic meatus and the external surface of the tympanic membrane.

The anterior auricular nerves convey general sense information from the skin of the portion of the external ear that lies anterior to the external acoustic meatus.

The articular branch of the auriculotemporal nerve conveys general sense information from the posterior portion of the temporomandibular joint

The parotid branches are the postganglionic parasympathetic fibers that innervate the parotid gland. The communicating branch to the otic ganglion is the source of these postganglionic parasympathetic fibers.