Three weeks after cortical mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma, a 28-year-old man reports persistent numbness over the lobule and the lower lateral surface of his auricle. Which sensory nerve was most likely injured during the postauricular approach?

• A Auriculotemporal nerve
• B Greater occipital nerve
• C Lesser occipital nerve
• D Great auricular nerve ✓

Explanation

The great auricular nerve (roots D2, D3) supplies the skin of the lobule, the lower lateral auricle and the skin below the external acoustic meatus, and it crosses the sternocleidomastoid exactly where a postauricular or mastoid incision is made. The auriculotemporal nerve supplies the tragus, upper helix and anterior canal wall, so its territory does not include the lobule, eliminating the main distractor.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.