What is the Use of External Ears?
The external ears, also known as the auricle or pinna, are the visible part of the ear that protrude from the side of the head. While the external ears are often considered a cosmetic feature, they serve several important functions related to hearing and balance. In this article, we will explore the anatomy and function of the external ears. Anatomy of the External Ears The external ears consist of several parts, including the helix, antihelix, tragus, antitragus, lobule, and concha. The helix is the outer rim of the ear, while the antihelix is the curved ridge of cartilage just inside the helix. The tragus is the small, triangular projection that extends over the ear canal, while the antitragus is the smaller projection opposite the tragus. The lobule is the soft, fleshy lower part of the ear, while the concha is the bowl-shaped depression at the center of the ear. The external ear is covered in skin and is supported by a flexible cartilage framework. The skin of the external ear cont