Nerves of the ear

CN VIII: Hearing/Balance function, Acoustic Neuroma symptoms & location.
CN VII: Stapedius muscle function, Hyperacusis in Bell's Palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
Referred Otalgia
- Concept: Pain felt in the ear originating from outside the ear.
- Mechanism: Convergence of sensory input from different areas onto shared pathways/nuclei in the brainstem.
- Key Nerves Involved: CN V (dental, TMJ), CN VII (geniculate neuralgia - rare), CN IX (pharynx, tonsils), CN X (larynx, pharynx), C2/C3 (cervical spine, posterior scalp/neck issues).
CN IX: Primary sensory supply to the middle ear (pain in Otitis Media).
- But the main damaged nerve is CN VII
CN V3: Tensor Tympani motor supply, Auriculotemporal sensory supply (referred pain).
CN X: Arnold's Nerve/Reflex.