Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Minimally Invasive Relief for Occipital Neuralgia at the Nuchal Line
Published on: September 13, 2024
The Great Auricular Nerve Trigger Site: Anatomy, Compression Point Topography, and Treatment Options for Headache
Anna Schoenbrunner1, Marko Konschake1, Marit Zwierzina1
1From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Ohio State University; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, and Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Institute of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck; and Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh.
Background:
Peripheral nerve decompression surgery can effectively address headache pain caused by compression of peripheral nerves of the head and neck. Despite decompression of known trigger sites, there are a subset of patients with trigger sites centered over the postauricular area coursing. The authors hypothesize that these patients experience primary or residual pain caused by compression of the great auricular nerve.
Methods:
Anatomical dissections were carried out on 16 formalin-fixed cadaveric heads. Possible points of compression along fascia, muscle, and parotid gland were identified. Ultrasound technology was used to confirm these anatomical findings in a living volunteer.
Results:
The authors' findings demonstrate that the possible points of compression for the great auricular nerve are at Erb's point (point 1), at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the dense connective tissue before entry into the parotid gland (point 2), and within its intraparotid course (point 3). The mean topographic measurements were as follows: Erb's point to the mastoid process at 7.32 cm/7.35 (right/left), Erb's point to the angle of the mandible at 6.04 cm/5.89 cm (right/left), and the posterior aspect of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the mastoid process at 3.88 cm/4.43 cm (right/left). All three possible points of compression could be identified using ultrasound.
Conclusions:
This study identified three possible points of compression of the great auricular nerve that could be decompressed with peripheral nerve decompression surgery: Erb's point (point 1), at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (point 2), and within its intraparotid course (point 3).
