What is the auricle or pinna?

The pinna is characterised by its cartilaginous component and a series of prominences, which are:

• The helix, the outer rim of the ear, curves outward from the ear and terminates at the inferior part of the lobe.
• The antihelix, the arcuate part of the auricle, is separated from the helix by a groove called the scaphoid fossa.
• The scaphoid fossa, the groove in the auricle located between the helix and the antihelix.
• The concha, the concave area of the auricle enclosed by the antihelix, tragus, and antitragus, which funnels into the opening of the external auditory canal.
• The tragus, the flattened, triangular prominence that overlooks the entrance of the external auditory canal.
• The antitragus, the small triangular prominence located below the antihelix and behind the tragus.
• The intertragic notch, the part of the auricle that separates the tragus from the antitragus.
• The earlobe, the lower extremity of the auricle made up of fatty tissue.

The muscles of the auricle correspond to the muscles of the external ear and are as follows:

• The great auricular muscle, a narrow vertical strip located on the anterior edge of the helix.
• The small auricular muscle, a small oblique band covering the crus of the helix.
• The muscle of the tragus, a flat, short vertical band located on the lateral surface of the tragus.
• The muscle of the antitragus, extending from the outer part of the antitragus to an area between the helix and the antihelix.
• The transverse auricular muscle, stretching from the concha to the scaphoid fossa.
• The oblique auricular muscle, running from the postero-superior part of the concha to the convex area above it.

The ligaments of the auricle are of two types:

• Intrinsic ligaments, which primarily serve to maintain the shape of the auricle.
• Extrinsic ligaments, which connect the auricle to the temporal bone.