Auricle: Anatomical and Physiological Considerations
The auricle, also known as the pinna, is the external visible part of the ear that is responsible for collecting sound waves and relaying them to the ear canal. It is composed of elastic cartilage covered with skin, and has a unique shape that is often used to identify individuals. In this article, the anatomical and physiological features of the auricle are discussed, as well as the clinical implications of these features.
Anatomy
The auricle is located on the side of the head and is composed of a thin plate of elastic cartilage covered with skin (Kumar, 2017). The cartilage is composed of three main components: the crus of the helix, the helix, and the lobule. The crus of the helix is the posterior portion of the auricle and is made of a single piece of cartilage. The helix is the curved portion of the auricle and is also composed of a single piece of cartilage. The lobule is the most inferior portion of the auricle and is made of several small pieces of cartilage (Kumar, 2017). The auricle is connected to the head by an auditory canal, which is a short tube that leads to the eardrum.
Physiology
The auricle is responsible for collecting sound waves and relaying them to the ear canal. It collects sound waves from the environment and directs them to the eardrum, which vibrates upon contact with the sound waves. This vibration is then transmitted to the cochlea, which is responsible for transforming sound waves into electrical signals that are then sent to the brain. The auricle also helps to protect the ear from loud noises and debris by providing a barrier between them and the eardrum (Kumar, 2017).
Clinical Implications
The auricle plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of ear disorders. It is often used to diagnose ear infections, as well as to assess hearing loss and ear damage (Girgis et al., 2020). Additionally, the auricle can be used to identify certain types of congenital and acquired ear abnormalities. For example, auricular deformities can be used to diagnose congenital hearing loss and ear malformations (Girgis et al., 2020). Additionally, the auricle can be used to assess the effectiveness of certain ear treatments, such as ear tube placement and tympanoplasty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the auricle is an important part of the ear and plays a critical role in hearing and protecting the ear. The anatomy and physiology of the auricle are important to understand in order to diagnose and treat ear disorders. Additionally, the auricle can be used to identify certain types of congenital and acquired ear abnormalities.
References
Girgis, F.M., El-Hifnawi, M.K., El-Kheir, F.A., El-Badry, M.A., & El-Taweel, A.A. (2020). The Role of Auricular Deformities in the Diagnosis of Congenital and Acquired Hearing Loss. International Journal of Otolaryngology, 2020, 1-7.
Kumar, V. (2017). Anatomy of the Auricle (Pinna). StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539520/