a branch of the mandibular, usually arising by two roots embracing the middle meningeal artery; it passes through the parotid gland conveying post-synaptic parasympathetic secretomotor fibers from the otic ganglion, and continuing to terminate in the skin of the temple and scalp; also sends branches to the external acoustic meatus, tympanic membrane, and auricle as well as a communicating branch to the facial nerve. Syn: nervus auriculotemporalis [NA].