auriculotemporal
|au-ri-cu-lo-tem-po-ral|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːrɪkjuːloʊˈtɛmpərəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːrɪkjʊləʊˈtɛmpərəl/
relating to ear and temple
Etymology
'auriculotemporal' originates from New Latin (via Latin), specifically the compound 'auriculotemporalis', where 'auriculo-' derived from Latin 'auricula' (diminutive of 'auris') meant 'ear' and '-temporal' derived from Latin 'temporalis' (from 'tempus') meant 'of the temple (side of the head)'.
'auriculotemporal' was formed from New Latin anatomical compounds (e.g. 'auriculotemporalis') and entered English anatomical vocabulary in the 19th century as a descriptive term for structures relating to the ear and temporal region.
Initially it literally meant 'pertaining to the ear and temple'; over time the term became specialized in anatomy to refer also specifically to the auriculotemporal nerve and structures associated with that region.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to the auricle (external ear) and the temporal region (the side of the head near the temple).
The incision was made along the auriculotemporal region to access the lesion.
Adjective 2
of or pertaining to the auriculotemporal nerve (a branch of the mandibular nerve supplying sensation to the temple and parts of the external ear).
Injury to the auriculotemporal nerve can cause numbness in the temple and outer ear.
Last updated: 2025/11/20 21:22