The deep auricular artery is a branch of the

maxillary artery The maxillary artery (eg, internal maxillary artery) supplies deep structures of the face. It branches from the external carotid artery just deep to the neck of the mandible. Structure The maxillary artery, the larger of the two terminal branches ...

. The deep auricular artery pierces the

external acoustic meatus The ear canal (external acoustic meatus, external auditory meatus, EAM) is a pathway running from the outer ear to the middle ear. The adult human ear canal extends from the auricle to the eardrum and is about in length and in diameter. Str ...

. It provides arterial supply to the skin of the

, and contributes arterial supply to the

tympanic membrane In the anatomy of humans and various other tetrapods, the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane or myringa, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit changes in pressur ...

, and (via a branch) the

temporomandibular joint In anatomy, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is a bilateral Synovial joint, synovial articulation between the temporal bone of the skull above and the condylar process of mandible be ...

Anatomy

Origin

It is a branch of the (mandibular part of) the

. It often arises in common with the anterior tympanic artery.

Course

It ascends in the substance of the

parotid gland The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the m ...

, behind the temporomandibular articulation, and pierces the cartilaginous or bony wall of the

to course between the cartilage and bone.

Distribution

It supplies its cuticular lining and the outer surface of the

. It gives a branch to the

References

External links

* () Arteries of the head and neck {{circulatory-stub