Posterior auricular

Posterior Auricular refers to a region or structures located near or related to the outer ear. It is a term used in anatomy to describe two main structures: the Posterior Auricular Artery and the Posterior Auricular Nerve.

Posterior Auricular Artery

The Posterior Auricular Artery is a small artery that arises from the External Carotid Artery, one of the main arteries supplying the head and neck. It travels upwards, behind the External Acoustic Meatus (the ear canal), to supply the scalp above and behind the ear and the auricle (the visible part of the ear).

Posterior Auricular Nerve

The Posterior Auricular Nerve is a branch of the Facial Nerve (the seventh cranial nerve). It provides motor innervation to some of the muscles around the ear, including the Stapedius muscle, which plays a role in the regulation of sound volume, and the Posterior Auricular Muscle, a small muscle that helps move the ear.

Clinical Significance

The posterior auricular artery and nerve are important landmarks in surgical procedures involving the ear and the surrounding area. Damage to these structures can lead to complications such as Hemorrhage (bleeding) and Facial Palsy.

See Also

• Auricle (anatomy)
• External Carotid Artery
• Facial Nerve
• Stapedius
• Posterior Auricular Muscle

References

• Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 41st Edition
• Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 9th Edition by Richard S. Snell