Corpus: Auricular branch of vagus nerve

The auricular branch of vagus nerve is a sensory branch of the vagus nerve.

The auricular branch originates from the vagus nerve within the superior ganglion. It passes beneath the internal jugular vein and travels along the lateral wall of the jugular fossa into the mastoid canal. From there, It passes through the substance of the temporal bone and emerges at the surface of the skin through the tympanomastoid fissure.

This nerve provides general somatosensory innervation to a portion of the auricle, the external auditory canal and a part of the eardrum. It can form anastomoses with the auriculotemporal nerve (a branch from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve) and the posterior auricular nerve.

Mechanical irritation of the ear canal, such as during rinsing or cleaning, can stimulate the vagus nerve and cause coughing and nausea.