Great auricular nerve (GAN)

The **great auricular nerve** is the largest ascending sensory cutaneous branch of the cervical plexus. It originates from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C2 and C3. The nerve emerges at Erb’s point on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle before ascending vertically across its surface beneath the platysma muscle. It divides into anterior and posterior branches near the parotid gland; these supply sensation to skin overlying the parotid gland, mastoid process, angle of mandible, lower third/posterior aspect/lobule/concha/antitragus/tail-of-the-helix/scapha regions of the external ear[1][2][3][5]. The great auricular nerve is frequently encountered in head and neck surgery—especially during procedures involving parotidectomy or submandibular gland excision—and is at risk for iatrogenic injury that can result in long-term numbness or paresthesia[4][7]. It is also commonly used as a donor for autologous nerve grafting in facial reanimation surgeries due to its size and accessibility[7]. **Note:** The great auricular nerve is an anatomical structure—a peripheral sensory nerve—not a typical therapeutic "target" like receptors, enzymes, ion channels, etc., so most fields related to drug interaction are not applicable. If you are seeking information about molecular targets for pharmacological intervention rather than anatomical nerves used in surgery/grafting or subject to surgical risk/injury, this entry would be considered incorrect as a "target"[1][2][5].

Other names

Nervus auricularis magnus (Latin)GANgreat auricular cutaneous nerve