The helicis minor is a tiny oblique band of muscle that covers the crus of the helix, the ridge of cartilage that rises out of the bowl of the ear (the concha) just above the ear canal. It is one of the intrinsic auricular muscles and has no meaningful action in most people. It is mainly of interest in detailed ear anatomy and surgery.
| Origin | Anterior part of the crus of the helix |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Crus of the helix, near where it emerges from the concha |
| Nerve Supply | Temporal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) |
| Blood Supply | Anterior auricular branches of the superficial temporal artery |
| Actions |
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|---|
It is a rudimentary muscle whose only possible effect is a slight tensing of the crus of the helix.
The crus of the helix is an important landmark in ear surgery: endaural incisions for middle ear and mastoid operations are often made in the notch between the crus of the helix and the tragus, passing close to the helicis minor. The muscle can be divided without functional consequence. Like the other intrinsic ear muscles it is supplied by the facial nerve and is affected in facial nerve palsy without visible effect.
Not palpable as a separate structure; it lies on the crus of the helix inside the upper concha.
Infection of the tissue covering the ear cartilage, often after piercing of the upper ear cartilage or trauma, causing a red, hot, painful ear that needs prompt antibiotics to prevent cartilage loss.
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