Auriculotemporal Nerve – A Study on its Roots

Auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) is a branch of the posterior division of mandibular nerve. It presents two roots at its origin, which encircle the middle meningeal artery. In the present study of thirty hemi-sections of head and neck the roots of the ATN and its relation with middle meningeal artery (MMA) were observed and photographed. The number of roots in these thirty specimens were as follows: Single root – was observed in four specimens, two roots – were observed in twenty two specimens, three roots – were observed in three specimens and five roots – were observed in a single specimen. Since the infratemporal region is filled with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the muscles of mastication, important blood vessels and nerves, the variations described in the present study, may enlighten the surgeon towards the possible entrapment of the nerve roots due to the pressure exerted due to dislocation of TMJ or due to hypertrophic masticatory muscles.