Greater Auricular Nerve

Description

Cutaneous innervation of the head and neck

Anatomy of the auricular nerve

Various anatomical landmarks to locate a great auricular nerve

Name

• Greater Auricular Nerve
• Great auricular nerve
• Nervus auricularis major

General

• Cutaneous branch/ division of the cervical plexus
• Innervates the skin of the auricle, parotid gland and mastoid process

Gross Anatomy

• Arises from ventral rami of C2 and C3 spinal nerves
• Emerges along the posterior course of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Divides at the inferior pole of the parotid gland into anterior and posterior branches

Anterior Branch

• Also called the facial branch
• Supplies the skin over the parotid gland, communicates with facial nerve

Posterior Branch

• Also called the mastoid branch
• Supplies the skin over the mastoid process, posterior surface of the external ear

Variant Anatomy

• Communication with facial nerve has been reported in cadaveric studies

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Clinical Significance

• Auricular Nerve Block

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See Also

• Nerve Anatomy Main
• Neck Anatomy Main

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