Question
A patient presents with progressive pain in a swelling below the ear lobule. Which of the following structures is most likely responsible for the pain?
| A. |
Facial nerve
|
| B. |
Auriculotemporal nerve
|
| C. |
Great auricular nerve
|
| D. |
Deep cervical fascia
|
Show Answer
|
Correct Answer � C
Explanation
|
|
Swelling below the ear lobe suggests parotid gland involvement. Pain here is usually mediated by the nerve supplying skin & superficial structures over the parotid gland.
– Great Auricular Nerve:
– A branch of the cervical plexus (C2, C3).
– Provides sensory input to:
– Skin over the parotid gland.
– Lower auricle.
– Skin over the mastoid process.
– Pain from parotid region issues like infections or tumors is often transmitted via this nerve.
High-Yield:
– Great Auricular Nerve:
– Important for sensory innervation around the parotid.
– Pain in conditions like acute parotitis or tumors often travel through this nerve.
– Common Conditions:
– Acute Parotitis: Pain & swelling below the ear lobule, aggravated by chewing.
– Parotid Tumors: Slow-growing masses with possible referred pain.
Incorrect Options:
– Facial nerve: Provides motor but not sensory innervation for the parotid.
– Auriculotemporal nerve: Feeds anterior ear & temporal scalp, not the parotid area.
– Deep cervical fascia: Supports but doesn’t transmit sensory pain directly.
