The sensation of the external auditory canal is primarily via which nerve?

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The external auditory canal is mainly innervated by the auriculotemporal nerve, a sensory branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve provides general sensation to the skin of the canal and the outer surface of the tympanic membrane, which is why irritation of the canal is felt in that region. The great auricular nerve mainly supplies skin of the auricle and surrounding areas, not the canal itself; the glossopharyngeal nerve covers the inner surface of the tympanic membrane; a small auricular branch of the vagus contributes only minor sensation to parts of the canal. So, the primary sensation comes from the auriculotemporal nerve.