1. It’s the cutaneous nerve (sensory) of head.
2. Originates from the anterior rami of the C2, C3 of cervical plexus.
3. It divides into two main branches- Anterior branch (facial branch) & Posterior branch (mastoid branch)
|
Great auricular nerve |
Areas supplied |
|
Anterior / Facial branch |
- Skin over the parotid gland - Skin over the angle of mandible |
|
Posterior / Mastoid branch |
- Skin over the mastoid process - Posterior part of the auricle (external ear) |
NOTE: Skin over the ear lobule (laterally and medially) is supplied by the great auricular nerve (C2, C3).