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