The vagus (tenth cranial) nerve innervates the external audito | Anatomy embryology histology videos & books

The vagus (tenth cranial) nerve innervates the external auditory meatus of the ear. The great auricular nerve (choice B) innervates the lobule of the auricle and the auriculotemporal nerve (choice C), the superior aspect of the auricle. In fact, a sensory test which includes these three parts of the ear tests the integrity of the trigeminal (fifth cranial) nerve by the auriculotemporal nerve, the vagus (tenth cranial) nerve by its branch innervating the auditory meatus, and spinal nerves C2-3 by their great auricular branch. The test thus covers the upper and lower medulla and the upper spinal cord. The greater occipital nerve (choice D) is a branch of the cervical plexus originating from C2 and innervates the scalp of the back of the head. The facial (seventh cranial) nerve provides only motor innervation to the face and scalp areas.