The auriculotemporal nerve is a nerve of the head and neck region. It is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.
It supplies autonomic fibres to the parotid gland and sensory fibres to the ear and temporal regions.
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The auriculotemporal nerve arises from the mandibular nerve as two roots:
- Superior somatosensory root – contains sensory fibres.
- Inferior parasympathetic root – contains post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres.
These roots converge around the middle meningeal artery to form a single nerve.
It first passes medial to the neck of the mandible, before ascending between the temporomandibular joint and external auditory meatus.
It then crosses the root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and terminates as two sensory branches:
- Auricular branch – supplies the external ear, external acoustic meatus, and external surface of the tympanic membrane.
- Temporal branch – supplies the posterior aspect of the temporal region.
Sensory Supply
The auriculotemporal nerve provides general sensory innervation to:
- Anterior part of the auricle
- Anterior external acoustic meatus
- External tympanic membrane
- Posterior aspect of the temporal region
- Temporomandibular joint
Parasympathetic Supply
The auriculotemporal nerve carries post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland.
They act to stimulate secretion of saliva.
Sympathetic Supply
The auriculotemporal nerve carries sympathetic fibres to the parotid gland, which it receives from the middle meningeal artery near its origin.