Lesser auricular nerve

Lesser Auricular Nerve is a branch of the cervical plexus, a network of nerve fibers that originates from the upper part of the spinal cord. It is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the skin of the ear and the area around the ear to the brain.

Etymology

The term "auricular" comes from the Latin word "auricula", which means "ear". The prefix "lesser" is used to distinguish this nerve from the greater auricular nerve, another branch of the cervical plexus that also innervates the ear.

Anatomy

The lesser auricular nerve originates from the second and third cervical spinal nerves (C2 and C3). It ascends along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, a large muscle on the side of the neck, to reach the ear. The nerve then divides into two branches: one innervates the skin over the mastoid process (a bony prominence behind the ear), and the other supplies the skin of the upper and back part of the auricle, the visible part of the ear.

Function

The primary function of the lesser auricular nerve is sensory. It carries sensory information, such as touch and temperature, from the skin of the ear and the area around the ear to the brain. This allows us to perceive sensations in these areas.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the lesser auricular nerve can result in loss of sensation in the areas of the skin it innervates. This can occur due to trauma, surgery, or conditions that affect the nerves, such as neuropathy. In some cases, damage to this nerve can also cause ear pain, a condition known as auricular neuralgia.

Related Terms

• Cervical plexus
• Greater auricular nerve
• Sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Mastoid process
• Auricle (anatomy)
• Neuropathy
• Auricular neuralgia

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