Deep auricular artery

The deep auricular artery is a branch of the maxillary artery. The deep auricular artery pierces the external acoustic meatus. It provides arterial supply to the skin of the external acoustic meatus, and contributes arterial supply to the tympanic membrane, and (via a branch) the temporomandibular joint.^[1]

Deep auricular artery
Plan of branches of internal maxillary artery. (Label "Deep auric." visible at upper left.)
Plan of branches of internal maxillary artery. (Deep auricular visible but not labeled.)
Details
Source	maxillary artery
Identifiers
Latin	arteria auricularis profunda
TA98	A12.2.05.054
TA2	4423
FMA	49689
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Anatomy

Origin

It is a branch of the (mandibular part of) the maxillary artery.^[1] It often arises in common with the anterior tympanic artery.^{[citation needed]}

Course

It ascends^[2] in the substance of the parotid gland, behind the temporomandibular articulation,^{[citation needed]} and pierces the cartilaginous or bony wall of the external acoustic meatus^[1] to course between the cartilage and bone.^[2]

Distribution

It supplies its cuticular lining and the outer surface of the tympanic membrane.^{[citation needed]}

It gives a branch to the temporomandibular joint.^[1]