Great auricular nerve (C2, C3)

1. It’s the cutaneous nerve (sensory) of head.

2. Originates from the anterior rami of the C2, C3 of cervical plexus.

3. It divides into two main branches- Anterior branch (facial branch) & Posterior branch (mastoid branch)

Great auricular nerve
(C2, C3) branches

Areas supplied

Anterior / Facial branch

- Skin over the parotid gland

- Skin over the angle of mandible

Posterior / Mastoid branch

- Skin over the mastoid process

- Posterior part of the auricle (external ear)

NOTE: Skin over the ear lobule (laterally and medially) is supplied by the great auricular nerve (C2, C3).