The great auricular nerve: a case report and review of anatomy.
This report reviews the pertinent anatomy of the great auricular nerve. The clinical significance of this nerve is apparent in some patients undergoing lower third molar surgery under local anaesthesia. The great auricular nerve arises from the cervical plexus and overlaps territory from the trigeminal nerve supplying sensory innervation to the angle of the mandible. In certain instances, a separate infiltration may be needed to achieve total analgesia of the region.
Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin.
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Tong
D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D004431:Ear, External / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000294:innervation*; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction