The auricle, or pinna, is the visible outer ear: a single sheet of elastic cartilage covered by skin, with only the lobule lacking cartilage. Its folds are named the helix, antihelix, tragus, antitragus, concha and lobule. The cartilage has no blood vessels and relies on the overlying perichondrium for nutrition.
| Location | Side of the head, around the opening of the external acoustic meatus |
|---|---|
| Parts | |
| Nerve Supply | Great auricular nerve; Lesser occipital nerve; Auriculotemporal nerve; Auricular branch of the vagus |
| Blood Supply | Posterior auricular artery; Superficial temporal artery (anterior auricular branches); Occipital artery |
Gathers sound waves and shapes them, helping to judge where sounds come from, particularly up versus down and front versus back.
A blow to the ear can cause bleeding between the cartilage and perichondrium; if not drained it leads to cauliflower ear, common in wrestling and rugby. Its exposed position makes it prone to frostbite, sunburn and skin cancers. Ear piercing through cartilage can cause perichondritis, often from Pseudomonas.
A collection of blood under the perichondrium after blunt trauma. Prompt drainage and a pressure dressing prevent cauliflower ear.
Infection of the cartilage covering of the auricle, often after high piercing, causing a red, painful ear that spares the lobule.
Permanent thickening and deformity of the auricle from repeated or untreated haematomas.
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