Anatomy of the external ear

Abstract

The external ear comprises the auricle and the auditory canal. The fibrocartilaginous auricle funnels sound waves from the environment into the auditory canal to the tympanic membrane. This convoluted shell-like pliable structure is functionally but also aesthetically important. Deviations from the norm or aberrations in position, shape, size, or in the architecture of the auricle are noticeable and undesirable. The author describes the anatomy of the anterior and posterior surface of the auricle, cartilage, muscles, nerves, and vascular supply.