The External Ear - Structure - Function - Innervation (2024)

The ear can be divided into three parts; external, middle and inner. This article will focus on the anatomy of theexternal ear– its structure, neurovascular supply and clinical correlations.

The external ear can bedivided functionally and structurallyinto two parts; the auricle (or pinna), and the external acoustic meatus – which ends at the tympanic membrane.

Auricle

The auricle isa paired structure found on either side of the head. It functions to capture and direct sound waves towards the external acoustic meatus.

It is a mostly cartilaginous structure, with the lobule being the only part not supported by cartilage. The cartilaginous part of the auricle forms an outer curvature, known as the helix. A second innermost curvature runs in parallel with the helix – the antihelix.The antihelix divides into two cura; the inferoanterior crus, and the superoposterior crus.

In the middle of the auricle is a hollow depression, called the concha. It continues into the skull as the external acoustic meatus. The concha acts to direct sound into the external acoustic meatus. Immediately anterior to the beginning of the external acoustic meatus is an elevation of cartilaginous tissue – the tragus. Opposite the tragus is the antitragus.

External Acoustic Meatus

The external acoustic meatus is a sigmoid shaped tube that extends from the deep part of the concha to the tympanic membrane. The walls of the external 1/3 are formed by cartilage, whereas the inner 2/3 are formed by the temporal bone.

The external acoustic meatus does not have a straight path, and instead travels in an S-shaped curve as follows:

• Initially it travels in a superoanterior direction.
• In then turns slightly to move superoposteriorly.
• It ends by running in an inferoanterior direction.

Tympanic Membrane

The tympanic membrane lies at the distal end of the external acoustic meatus. It is a connective tissue structure, covered with skin on the outside and a mucous membrane on the inside. The membrane is connected to the surrounding temporal bone by a fibrocartilaginous ring.

Thetranslucency of the tympanic membrane allows thestructures within the middle ear to be observed during otoscopy. On the inner surface of the membrane, the handle of malleus attaches to the tympanic membrane, at a point called the umbo of tympanic membrane.

The handle of malleus continues superiorly, and at its highest point, a small projection called the lateral process of the malleus can be seen. The parts of the tympanic membrane moving away from the lateral process are called the anterior and posterior malleolar folds.

Vasculature

The external ear is supplied by branches of the external carotid artery:

• Posterior auricular artery
• Superficial temporalartery
• Occipital artery
• Maxillary artery (deep auricular branch) – supplies the deep aspect of the external acoustic meatus and tympanic membrane only.

Venous drainage is via veins following the arteries listed above.

Innervation

Thesensory innervation to the skin of the auricle comes from numerous nerves:

• Greater auricular nerve (branch of the cervical plexus) – innervates the skin of the auricle
• Lesser occipital nerve (branch of the cervical plexus) – innervates the skin of the auricle
• Auriculotemporal nerve (branch of the mandibular nerve) – innervates the skin of the auricle and external auditory meatus.
• Branches of the facial and vagusnerves– innervates the deeper aspect of the auricle and external auditory meatus

Some individuals can complain of an involuntary cough when cleaning their ears – this is due to stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (the vagus nerve is also responsible for the cough reflex).

Lymphatics

The lymphatic drainage of the external ear is to the superficial parotid, mastoid, upper deep cervical and superficial cervical nodes.