Auriculotemporal nerve

The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). It carries general somatic afferent fibers to the skin of the anterior auricle, external acoustic meatus, tympanic membrane, scalp of the temporal region, and temporomandibular joint. It also conveys postganglionic parasympathetic fibers, originating from the otic ganglion (connected to the glossopharyngeal nerve, CN IX), to the parotid gland, stimulating saliva secretion. Additionally, it carries sympathetic fibers to the parotid gland received from the plexus of the middle meningeal artery. The nerve is not a molecule, receptor, enzyme, transporter, or canonical therapeutic target but rather a peripheral sensory and autonomic nerve of clinical importance, especially in headache and temporomandibular dysfunction. Nerve injury or entrapment can lead to pain syndromes such as auriculotemporal neuralgia and is a consideration in craniofacial surgery or dental interventions. Explanation: - This entry is "incorrect" for structured drug discovery databases that catalog true molecular targets (receptors, enzymes, etc.), as the auriculotemporal nerve is an anatomical structure (nerve), not a molecule or canonical target. - No interacting drugs or mechanisms of action exist because this nerve is not directly modulated by specific pharmaceuticals; interventions are neurosurgical or physical rather than molecular. - Disease relevance is through nerve entrapment, trauma, or irritation, not direct molecular targeting. - No canonical abbreviation is commonly used; ATN may appear informally but is rare in the literature.

Other names

Nervus auriculotemporalisanterior auricular nerveauriculotemporal neuralgia