508. A major sensory innervation of the temporomandibular joint is derived from the

1. great auricular nerve.
2. auriculotemporal nerve.
3. inferior alveolar nerve.
4. temporal branches of the facial nerve.


 The correct answer is choice 2. The temporomandibular joint is innervated by nerves from the auriculotemporal and masseteric branches of the mandibular nerve or V3. Choice 1, the greater auricular nerve, exits the spinal cord from levels C2 and C3 and innervates cutaneous areas of the neck, lower face and posterior head. Choice 3, the inferior alveolar, is a branch of the mandibular nerve or V3 which innervates the mandibular teeth, alveolar bone and gingiva. Choice 4, the temporal branches of the facial nerve, innervate the facial muscles above the palpebral fissure of the eye. So the correct answer is choice 2.