Lesser auricular nerve

{{Short description|Nerve of the head}}

{{More citations needed|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox anatomy

| Name = Lesser auricular nerve

| Latin = Nervus auricularis minor

| Image =

| Caption =

| Image2 =

| Caption2 =

| IsPartOf =

| Components =

| Artery =

| Vein =

}}The lesser auricular nerve originates from the cervical plexus, composed of branches of spinal nerves C2 and C3.

Therefore, the "Great auricular nerve" is incorrectly named "Greater auricular nerve".

[https://books.google.com/books?id=4qcqDAAAQBAJ&dq=%22lesser+auricular+nerve%22&pg=PA116 Peripheral Nerve Entrapments: Clinical Diagnosis and Management]

The Great auricular nerve runs posteriorly to the ear, and is "greater," since it provides most of the innervation to the ear: the back of the ear, front of the ear and earlobe. The rest is provided by the auriculotemporal nerve, which supplies the skin anterior to the external auditory meatus.