The mandibular nerve [V3] exits the skull through the foramen ovale. Branches (Fig. 8.65) innervating the face include: the auriculotemporal nerve, which enters the face just posterior to the temporomandibular joint, passes through the parotid gland, and ascends just anterior to the ear to supply the external acoustic meatus, the surface of the tympanic membrane (eardrum), and a large area of the temple; the buccal nerve, which is on the surface of the buccinator muscle supplying the cheek; and the mental nerve, which exits the mandible through the mental foramen and immediately divides into multiple branches to supply the skin and mucous membrane of the lower lip and skin of the chin (Fig. 8.65).