sensory innervation of the ear
Last reviewed 01/2018
Ear pain may be referred from many structures in the head, supplied by any of the following nerves
External ear:
- great auricular C2,C3
- auriculo temporal cranial nerve V
- chorda tympani VII
- vagus X
Middle ear:
- glossopharyngeal cranial nerve IX
Inner ear:
- no somatic sensory innervation
See the causes of referred pain in the description of otalgia for further details.