Otalgia- ear pain

Sensory supply from the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal and vagus, posterior roots of C2 and C3

 

Therefore:  ear pain with a negative examination of the area should cause one to look at the following for referred pain….

 

CN V

Especially the auriculo-temporal branch

Teeth, including impacted molars

Parotid

TMJ, dysfunction or arthritis, spasm of muscles in area from malocclusion [high fillings, bruxism,      anterior weight bearing of the head

Tongue

Nose

Sinuses

Tonsils

 

 

CN IX 

Oropharynx

 

CN X  

Larynx

Hypopharynx

Esophagus

 

C2 and C3

Cervical spondylosis

via the [C2]lesser occipital nerve and [ C2/3]greater auricular nerve