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Concept
Auricle (anatomy)
Summary
The auricle or auricula is the visible part of the ear that is outside the head. It is also called the pinna (Latin for "wing" or "fin", plural pinnae), a term that is used more in zoology.
The diagram shows the shape and location of most of these components:
antihelix forms a 'Y' shape where the upper parts are:
Superior crus (to the left of the fossa triangularis in the diagram)
Inferior crus (to the right of the fossa triangularis in the diagram)
Antitragus is below the tragus
Aperture is the entrance to the ear canal
Auricular sulcus is the depression behind the ear next to the head
Concha is the hollow next to the ear canal
Conchal angle is the angle that the back of the concha makes with the side of the head
Crus of the helix is just above the tragus
Cymba conchae is the narrowest end of the concha
External auditory meatus is the ear canal
Fossa triangularis is the depression in the fork of the antihelix
Helix is the folded over outside edge of the ear
Incisura anterior auris, or intertragic incisure, or intertragal notch, is the space between the tragus and antitragus
Lobe (lobule)
Scapha, the depression or groove between the helix and the anthelix
Tragus
The developing auricle is first noticeable around the sixth week of gestation in the human fetus, developing from the auricular hillocks, which are derived from the first and second pharyngeal arches. These hillocks develop into the folds of the auricle and gradually shift upwards and backwards to their final position on the head. En route accessory auricles (also known as preauricular tags) may be left behind. The first three hillocks are derived from the 1st branchial arch and form the tragus, crus of the helix, and helix, respectively. Cutaneous sensation to these areas is via the trigeminal nerve, the attendant nerve of the 1st branchial arch. The final three hillocks are derived from the second branchial arch and form the antihelix, antitragus, and lobule, respectively. These portions of the ear are supplied by the cervical plexus and a small portion by the facial nerve.
Official source
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Related concepts (14)
Auricle (anatomy)
The auricle or auricula is the visible part of the ear that is outside the head. It is also called the pinna (Latin for "wing" or "fin", plural pinnae), a term that is used more in zoology.
Pharyngeal arch
The pharyngeal arches, also known as visceral arches, are structures seen in the embryonic development of vertebrates that are recognisable precursors for many structures. In fish, the arches are known as the branchial arches, or gill arches. In the human embryo, the arches are first seen during the fourth week of development. They appear as a series of outpouchings of mesoderm on both sides of the developing pharynx. The vasculature of the pharyngeal arches is known as the aortic arches.
Outer ear
The outer ear, external ear, or auris externa is the external part of the ear, which consists of the auricle (also pinna) and the ear canal. It gathers sound energy and focuses it on the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Auricle (anatomy) The visible part is called the auricle, also known as the pinna, especially in other animals. It is composed of a thin plate of yellow elastic cartilage, covered with integument, and connected to the surrounding parts by ligaments and muscles; and to the commencement of the ear canal by fibrous tissue.