aurikulotemporaarnärvi

The auriculotemporal nerve is a sensory nerve of the head. It originates from the posterior division of the mandibular nerve, which is a branch of the trigeminal nerve. The auriculotemporal nerve passes superiorly and posteriorly, deep to the neck of the mandible, and then curves around the anterior border of the external acoustic meatus. It then ascends to supply sensory innervation to the skin of the temporal region and the anterior and superior parts of the auricle. It also carries parasympathetic fibers that innervate the parotid gland.

The auriculotemporal nerve provides sensation to a specific area, including the skin over the temple, the tragus and helix of the ear, and the external auditory canal. It also contributes to the sensation of the temporomandibular joint. The parasympathetic fibers it carries originate from the glossopharyngeal nerve and are relayed through the otic ganglion before traveling with the auriculotemporal nerve to stimulate salivary secretion from the parotid gland.

Disorders affecting the auriculotemporal nerve can lead to a variety of symptoms. Injury to the nerve, such as during surgery in the parotid gland or temporomandibular joint, can result in sensory deficits, including numbness or altered sensation in its distribution. A condition known as Frey's syndrome, or gustatory sweating, can occur after damage to the auriculotemporal nerve, where sweating and flushing of the skin over the temple and cheek occur during gustatory stimulation, due to aberrant regeneration of parasympathetic fibers to sweat glands. Pain in the distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve can also be a symptom of trigeminal neuralgia or other neuropathic pain conditions.