The auriculotemporal nerve usually has two roots.

It passes back deep to the lateral pterygoid

and superior to tensor veli palatini. It runs between the sphenomandibular ligament and the
mandibular neck before running laterally posterior to the temporomandibular joint. The nerve
appears on the face behind the temporomandibular joint, and ascends over the zygomatic arch
dividing into superficial temporal branches.

The auriculotemporal nerve connects with the facial nerve and the otic ganglion. There are
normally two branches to the facial nerve; they run forwards and laterally, posterior to the neck of
the mandible to unite with the facial nerve at the posterior border of the masseter. The roots of the
auriculotemporal nerve are joined near their origin by branches from the otic ganglion.

Supply

The auriculotemporal nerve supplies several branches: the anterior auricular, branches to the
external acoustic meatus, articular, parotid and superficial temporal.

It supplies the tragus, concha, external auditory meatus and tympanic membrane of the ear, and
the posterior part of the temple.