The deep auricular artery is a deep blood vessel of the side of the face. It originates from the superior side of first part of maxillary artery (mandibular portion), being its first branch. In some individual, it arises together with the anterior tympanic artery, sharing a common trunk.
The deep auricular artery travels upwards and slightly backwards through a portion of parotid gland. Running behind the temporomandibular articulation, it follows an oblique course to penetrate the wall of the external auditory meatus. It gives off collateral branches that supply the articular capsule of the mandibular joint and the inferior wall of the external auditory meatus, while its terminal branches supply the tympanic membrane.
Below, a picture of right aspect of human face, showing the maxillary with all its branches. You can see the deep auricular artery in stronger red color, arising as its first branch.
