Corpus: Posterior auricular nerve

The posterior auricular nerve is a mixed nerve branch of the facial nerve. It carries specific motor fibers from the facial nerve nucleus and general sensory fibers that run to the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve.

The posterior auricular nerve originates from the facial nerve near the stylomastoid foramen and then runs upwards to the mastoid process. It divides between the external auditory meatus and the mastoid into an occipital branch and an auricular branch. The occipital branch follows the superior nuchal line, while the auricular branch runs to the ear.

The branches of the posterior auricular nerve form connections with the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (Arnold nerve), the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve, and the lesser occipital nerve.

The cell bodies of the general sensory fibers are located in the geniculate ganglion and the superior ganglion of the vagus nerve.

2.1. Varieties

In rare cases, the auricular nerve may run anterior to the external auditory canal.^[1]

Running alongside the posterior auricular nerve are the posterior auricular artery and the posterior auricular vein.^[2]

The posterior auricular nerve supplies parts of the posterior and superior auricular muscles, as well as the occipital belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle. Sensory-wise, it innervates a small part of the auricle (Hunt zone).

The posterior auricular nerve originates from the second branchial arch.