Posterior auricular nerve

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Posterior Auricular Nerve
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Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (Post. auricular br. labeled at bottom left.)
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The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck. (Post. auricular visible near center, behind ear.)
Details
From Facial nerve
Innervates Posterior auricular muscle, occipitalis muscle (posterior part of occipitofrontalis)
Identifiers
Latin n. auricularis posterior
TA98 A14.2.01.102
TA2 6295
FMA 53278
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The posterior auricular nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). It communicates with branches from the vagus nerve, the great auricular nerve, and the lesser occipital nerve. Its auricular branch supplies the posterior auricular muscle, the intrinsic muscles of the auricle, and gives sensation to the auricle. Its occipital branch supplies the occipitalis muscle.

Contents

Structure

The posterior auricular nerve arises from the facial nerve (CN VII). [1] It is the first branch outside of the skull. [2] This origin is close to the stylomastoid foramen. It runs upward in front of the mastoid process. It is joined by a branch from the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (CN X). It communicates with the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve, as well as with the lesser occipital nerve.

As it ascends between the external acoustic meatus and mastoid process it divides into auricular and occipital branches.

Function

The posterior auricular nerve supplies the posterior auricular muscle, and the intrinsic muscles of the auricle. [1] It gives sensation to the auricle. [1] It also supplies the occipitalis muscle. [1]

Clinical significance

Nerve testing

The posterior auricular nerve can be tested by contraction of the occipitalis muscle, and by sensation in the auricle. [1] This testing is rarely performed. [1]

Biopsy

The posterior auricular nerve can be biopsied. [3] This can be used to test for leprosy, which can be important in diagnosis. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial nerve</span> Cranial nerve VII, for the face and tasting

The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The nerve typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. It arises from the brainstem from an area posterior to the cranial nerve VI and anterior to cranial nerve VIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossopharyngeal nerve</span> Cranial nerve IX, for the tongue and pharynx

The glossopharyngeal nerve, also known as the ninth cranial nerve, cranial nerve IX, or simply CN IX, is a cranial nerve that exits the brainstem from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior to the vagus nerve. Being a mixed nerve (sensorimotor), it carries afferent sensory and efferent motor information. The motor division of the glossopharyngeal nerve is derived from the basal plate of the embryonic medulla oblongata, whereas the sensory division originates from the cranial neural crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser occipital nerve</span> Nerve of the head and neck

The lesser occipital nerve is a cutaneous spinal nerve of the cervical plexus. It arises from second cervical (spinal) nerve (C2). It innervates the skin of the back of the upper neck and of the scalp posterior to the ear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great auricular nerve</span> Cutaneous nerve of the head

The great auricular nerve is a cutaneous (sensory) nerve of the head. It originates from the second and third cervical (spinal) nerves (C2-C3) of the cervical plexus. It provides sensory innervation to the skin over the parotid gland and the mastoid process, parts of the outer ear, and to the parotid gland and its fascia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digastric muscle</span> Small muscle located under the jaw in mammals

The digastric muscle is a bilaterally paired suprahyoid muscle located under the jaw. Its posterior belly is attached to the mastoid notch of temporal bone, and its anterior belly is attached to the digastric fossa of mandible; the two bellies are united by an intermediate tendon which is held in a loop that attaches to the hyoid bone. The anterior belly is innervated via the mandibular nerve, and the posterior belly is innervated via the facial nerve. It may act to depress the mandible or elevate the hyoid bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior cranial fossa</span> Area of the cranium containing the brainstem and cerebellum

The posterior cranial fossa is the part of the cranial cavity located between the foramen magnum, and tentorium cerebelli. It is formed by the sphenoid bones, temporal bones, and occipital bone. It lodges the cerebellum, and parts of the brainstem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auriculotemporal nerve</span> Branch of the mandibular nerve

The auriculotemporal nerve is a sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to parts of the external ear, scalp, and temporomandibular joint. The nerve also conveys post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stylohyoid muscle</span> Muscle

The stylohyoid muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles. Its originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone; it inserts onto hyoid bone. It is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve. It acts draw the hyoid bone upwards and backwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occipital artery</span>

The occipital artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that provides arterial supply to the back of the scalp, sternocleidomastoid muscles, and deep muscles of the back and neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic nerve</span> Nerve of the face

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve. It arises in the pterygopalatine fossa and enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure before dividing into its two terminal branches: the zygomaticotemporal nerve and zygomaticofacial nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior auricular artery</span> Small artery

The posterior auricular artery is a small artery that arises from the external carotid artery. It ascends along the side of the head. It supplies several muscles of the neck and several structures of the head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental nerve</span> Sensory nerve of the face

The mental nerve is a sensory nerve of the face. It is a branch of the posterior trunk of the inferior alveolar nerve, itself a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It provides sensation to the front of the chin and the lower lip, as well as the gums of the anterior mandibular (lower) teeth. It can be blocked with local anaesthesia for procedures on the chin, lower lip, and mucous membrane of the inner cheek. Problems with the nerve cause chin numbness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retromandibular vein</span> Major face vein

The retromandibular vein is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mastoid part of the temporal bone</span> Back part of the sides of the skull base

The mastoid part of the temporal bone is the posterior (back) part of the temporal bone, one of the bones of the skull. Its rough surface gives attachment to various muscles and it has openings for blood vessels. From its borders, the mastoid part articulates with two other bones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior ethmoidal nerve</span> Nerve of the orbit around the eye

The posterior ethmoidal nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the nasociliary nerve (itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1)). It provides sensory innervation to the sphenoid sinus and ethmoid sinus, and part of the dura mater in the anterior cranial fossa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic branches of the facial nerve</span> Nerves of the face

The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve (malar branches) are nerves of the face. They run across the zygomatic bone to the lateral angle of the orbit. Here, they supply the orbicularis oculi muscle, and join with filaments from the lacrimal nerve and the zygomaticofacial branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical branch of the facial nerve</span> Branch of the facial nerve in the neck

The cervical branch of the facial nerve is a nerve in the neck. It is a branch of the facial nerve (VII). It supplies the platysma muscle, among other functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior auricular muscle</span> Muscle that pulls the ear upward and backward

The posterior auricular muscle is a muscle behind the auricle of the outer ear. It arises from the mastoid part of the temporal bone, and inserts into the lower part of the cranial surface of the auricle of the outer ear. It draws the auricle backwards, usually a very slight effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior auricular muscle</span> Muscle that draws the auricle of the outer ear upwards

The superior auricular muscle is a muscle above the auricle of the outer ear. It originates from the epicranial aponeurosis, and inserts into the upper part of the medial surface of the auricle. It draws the auricle upwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anterior auricular muscle</span> Muscle connectingthe epicranial aponeurosis to the helix of the ear

The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of the three auricular muscles, is thin and fan-shaped, and its fibers are pale and indistinct. It arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis, and its fibers converge to be inserted into a projection on the front of the helix.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 905 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rea, Paul (2016). "2 - Head". Essential Clinically Applied Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System in the Head and Neck. Academic Press. pp. 21–130. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803633-4.00002-8. ISBN   978-0-12-803633-4.
  2. Townley, William (2017). "50 - Immediate Facial Nerve Reconstruction Following Iatrogenic Injuries". Maxillofacial Surgery. Vol. 1 (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 707–713. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-6056-4.00051-4. ISBN   978-0-7020-6056-4.
  3. 1 2 de Freitas, Marcos R. G.; Said, Gérard (2013). "28 - Leprous neuropathy". Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 115. Elsevier. pp. 499–514. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-52902-2.00028-X. ISBN   978-0-444-52902-2. ISSN   0072-9752. PMID   23931798.