Logan Steele
The auricular muscles are three large muscles that connect the auricle (outer ear) to the skull and scalp. They are generally considered to be of little functional significance in humans, as only a few individuals can voluntarily move their ears. However, recent studies have shown that these muscles are activated when people listen intently, particularly in challenging auditory environments. The three auricular muscles are the anterior auricular muscle, the superior auricular muscle, and the posterior auricular muscle, each responsible for pulling the ear forward, raising it, and moving it backward, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of auricular muscles | 3 |
| Types of auricular muscles | Extrinsic and intrinsic |
| Extrinsic auricular muscles | Anterior, superior, and posterior |
| Intrinsic auricular muscles | Helicis major and minor, tragicus, antitragicus, transversus auriculae, and obliquus auriculae |
| Function | Control ear movement, act as an occipitofrontalis stabilizer, and a weak brow elevator |
| Average central height of the superior auricular muscle | 4.7 cm |
| Average width of the superior auricular muscle | 5.0 cm |
| Artery that travels underneath the anterior auricular muscle | Superficial temporal artery |
| Nerve that supplies the anterior auricular muscle | Temporal branch of the facial nerve |
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What You'll Learn
The anterior auricular muscle
The auricular muscles are generally considered to be of little functional significance in humans, as few individuals can move their ears voluntarily. However, the anterior auricular muscle is one of the extrinsic auricular muscles, connecting the auricle to the skull, and its presence helps explain the highly reflexogenic role of the ear.
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The superior auricular muscle
The auricular muscles, including the superior auricular muscle, are considered vestigial in humans, with limited functional significance. Only a few individuals can voluntarily move their ears, and most experience subtle, involuntary movements caused by the contraction of the auricular muscles. These involuntary movements can also be caused by the contraction of the scalp or facial muscles, as observed in studies by Godeiro-Junior et al. (2008) and Caviness et al. (1994).
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The posterior auricular muscle
The auricle of humans and other mammals contains three extrinsic and six intrinsic auricular muscles. The three extrinsic auricular muscles are the posterior auricular muscle (PAM), superior auricular muscle (SAM), and anterior auricular muscle (AAM). The posterior auricular muscle draws the auricle of the outer ear backwards, although this effect is usually very slight. Some people can wiggle their ears due to more significant muscle movement.
The extrinsic auricular muscles are thought to be vestigial in humans and are generally considered to be of little functional significance. However, they may have a role in ear development in the womb, affecting the shaping of the ear. Additionally, the small nerve filaments contained in the auricular muscles continue to have a significant influence on the body through reflexogenic connections. The posterior auricular muscle, in particular, may be part of an ancient system for monitoring sounds outside of our field of vision. Research suggests that the neural circuits for auricle orienting have survived in a vestigial state for over 25 million years.
The extrinsic auricular muscles hold the auricles in place and are responsible for the reinforcement, positioning, and angle of the auricle. They connect the auricle with the skull and scalp and move the auricle as a whole. In contrast, the intrinsic auricular muscles extend from one part of the auricle to another and play a role in the positioning and formation of the folds of the cartilaginous auricle.
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The Transverse Auricular Muscle (TAM)
The auricular muscles are generally considered to be of little functional significance in humans, as few individuals can move their ears voluntarily. However, the transverse auricular muscle (TAM) is one of the six intrinsic auricular muscles, and it plays a role in modifying the shape of the outer ear.
The TAM is an intrinsic muscle of the outer ear, located on the cranial surface of the pinna. It consists of scattered fibres, partly tendinous and partly muscular, extending from the eminentia conchae to the prominence corresponding with the scapha. While the muscle only minimally modifies the auricular shape in most individuals, it could help flatten the cranial profile of the auricular cartilage. The TAM is developmentally derived from the second pharyngeal arch.
The TAM is one of the three pairs of intrinsic muscles of the auricle, along with the helicis major and minor muscles. These intrinsic muscles are responsible for changing the auricular shape and position. The other three extrinsic auricular muscles are the posterior, superior, and anterior auricular muscles, which connect the auricle to the skull and scalp and move the auricle as a whole.
The TAM has been considered vestigial in humans, but it is believed that during development in the womb, it may exert forces on the cartilage and affect the shaping of the ear. In postnatal humans, the TAM is rarely under voluntary control. However, the neural connections of the TAM with the brainstem and other deep brain structures remain intact. This connectivity makes the TAM easily accessible for wearable neuroprosthetics and therapeutic and diagnostic devices.
Additionally, the TAM is involved in horizontal gaze and coactivation networks. Auditory stimuli such as clicks or tone bursts can induce an electrical potential in the posterior auricular muscle, referred to as the postauricular reflex (PAMR). This reflex occurs in awake humans and is an area of interest for further research and experimentation to gain a deeper understanding of the TAM's anatomy and functionality.
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The auricular muscles' role in plastic surgery
The auricular muscles are generally considered to be of little functional significance, with only a small number of people able to move their ears voluntarily. However, they do play a role in plastic surgery, particularly in facial plastic surgery and otoplasty.
In facial plastic surgery, the auricular muscle acts as an occipitofrontalis stabilizer and a weak brow elevator. The superior auricular muscle, which has an average height of 4.7 cm and an average width of 5.0 cm, originates in the fibres of the galea and temporal fascia and inserts into the conchal cartilage. Engaging this muscle yields a slight elevation of the forehead and prevents movement of the galea along the vertex of the scalp.
The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of the three auricular muscles, is thin and fan-shaped, with pale and indistinct fibres. It arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis and inserts into a projection on the front of the helix. The anterior auricular muscle is supplied by the temporal branch of the facial nerve and may also receive small branches from the auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve.
The posterior auricular muscle is one of the three extrinsic muscles of the external ear and has been found to influence the position of the auricle relative to the cranial surface. It has been suggested that this muscle plays a role in the pathogenesis of prominent ears, with electrical activity occurring in relation to certain movements of the ear and face. Transposition of the posterior auricular muscle can create a posterior muscular strut, adding to conchal setback. This technique is particularly useful in valgus of the concha.
In addition to their role in facial aesthetics, manipulations of the auricular muscles can also affect circulation to the face. They are used in cases of congestive facial disorders, facial paralysis, and following hemiplegia. The presence of the auricular muscles and their small nerve filaments contribute to the highly reflexogenic role of the ear.
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Frequently asked questions
Auricular muscles are the muscles that control the movement of the human ear.
There are three main auricular muscles: the anterior auricular muscle, the superior auricular muscle, and the posterior auricular muscle.
The anterior auricular muscle is responsible for pulling the ear forward and upward. It is the smallest of the three auricular muscles and arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis.
The superior auricular muscle raises the ear upward and outward. It is the largest of the three auricular muscles and originates in the fibres of the galea and temporal fascia.
The posterior auricular muscle moves the ear backward and downward. It is located at the back of the ear and its actions are often subtle but essential for the overall function of the auricular muscles.
