The auriculotemporal nerve is a sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V<sub>3</sub>) 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.
Structure
Origin
The auriculotemporal nerve arises from the posterior division of the mandibular nerve (CN V<sub>3</sub>) (which is itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). It arises by two roots