Pain resulting from parotitis is caused by an impingement on the great auricular nerve.

The great auricular nerve is the largest of the ascending branches of the cervical plexus.

[2] The great auricular nerve is a large trunk that ascends almost vertically over the sternocleidomastoid.

[2] The great auricular nerve may be damaged during surgery on the parotid gland, reducing sensation to the face.

[3] Pain resulting from parotitis is caused by an impingement on the great auricular nerve.