Logan Steele
The superior auricular muscle, found at the top of the ear, is responsible for raising the ear. It is the least active of the auricular muscles but still plays a role in ear movement and sound localization. Humans have vestigial muscles around the ear that react to sounds, even if the external ear does not move. These muscles can be monitored to understand how a person is experiencing the act of listening, which could be used to build better hearing aids. Some people can voluntarily move their ears, which is largely determined by genetics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle Name | Superior Auricular Muscle |
| Location | Top of the ear |
| Direction of Movement | Upward and Outward |
| Activity Level | Least active of the auricular muscles |
| Role | Plays a role in ear movements and sound localization |
| Related Muscle | Transverse Auricular Muscle (TAM) |
| TAM Location | Temporal region of the skull |
| TAM Description | Small, flat muscle with a subtle yet crucial role in ear movements |
| Muscle Control | Genetics largely determine voluntary control over these muscles |
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What You'll Learn
Superior Auricular Muscle
The superior auricular muscle is a fan-shaped muscle that originates from the epicranial aponeurosis and plays a crucial role in adjusting the position of the auricle, or the outer ear. It is the largest of the three extrinsic muscles of the ear, which also include the anterior and posterior auricular muscles. These muscles connect the auricle to the skull and scalp, allowing for movement of the ear as a whole.
The superior auricular muscle is responsible for slightly raising the ear upward and outward. While it is the least active of the auricular muscles, it still contributes to overall ear movements and sound localization. The activation of this muscle can occur involuntarily in response to sounds, indicating a person's focus and level of attention.
Research has shown that the superior auricular muscle exhibits increased activity during challenging listening tasks. This suggests that the muscle may be engaged as part of an attentional effort mechanism, particularly in difficult auditory environments. By understanding the activity of this muscle, there is potential to develop better hearing aids that can adjust to a person's listening experience.
The superior auricular muscle is innervated primarily by the temporal auricular branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which plays a significant role in controlling muscle action. The anterior auricular branches of the superficial temporal artery, along with other arteries, supply blood to this muscle, while the pterygoid plexus, external jugular, and maxillary vein comprise its venous drainage system.
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Anterior Auricular Muscle
The anterior auricular muscle is the smallest of the three auricular muscles. It is a thin, fan-shaped structure originating from the epicranial aponeurosis and inserting into the front of the helix. This muscle is located at the front of the ear and functions to draw the auricle of the outer ear upwards or forwards, reinforcing and positioning the auricle.
The innervation of the anterior auricular muscle is provided by the temporal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). This muscle is considered a vestigial organ, a remnant of evolution, and an essential part of our ear's function. While humans have lost the ability to move their ears about 25 million years ago, some people can still wiggle their ears as a party trick.
The anterior auricular muscle is one of the muscles involved in ear movement and sound localisation. Experiments have shown that the human brain retains certain neural circuits that respond to unexpected sounds, particularly in relation to the directional movement of ear muscles. The auricular muscles are a group of small muscles that control the movement of the outer ear, playing a significant role in ear movement and sound localisation.
The other two auricular muscles are the superior auricular muscle, which raises the ear, and the posterior auricular muscle, which moves the ear backward.
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Posterior Auricular Muscle
The posterior auricular muscle is located at the back of the auricle (the outer ear) and plays a role in repositioning the ear. It originates from the mastoid process of the temporal bone, with insertion at the root of the posterior auricle. It is part of the extrinsic muscles of the auricle and consists of two or three fleshy fasciculi.
The primary action of the posterior auricular muscle is to pull the ear backward, aiding in the positioning of the auricle of the outer ear relative to the skull. This muscle is supplied by the posterior auricular nerve, which is a branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The posterior auricular nerve provides innervation to the auricularis posterior muscle, as well as some of the intrinsic muscles of the ear and the interscutularis muscle.
Research has shown that the posterior auricular muscle is activated when individuals listen intently, particularly when sounds come from behind. This suggests that the muscle is engaged as part of an attentional effort mechanism, especially when individuals need to focus on specific auditory stimuli.
The posterior auricular muscle is considered a vestigial muscle in humans, as our ancestors lost the ability to use it about 25 million years ago. However, it still exhibits subtle movements in response to sounds, and some individuals can voluntarily move their ears using these muscles as a "party trick".
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Vestigial Muscles
The superior auricular muscle, found at the top of the ear, is responsible for raising the ear. It is one of the auricular muscles that control the movement of the human ear. These muscles are a vestigial remnant of evolution and are considered evolutionary remnants with little practical use today.
The auricular muscles are a group of small muscles that control the movement of the outer ear. They are often overlooked, but they play a significant role in ear movements and
The vestigial muscles in the human ear indicate the direction of sounds a person is paying attention to. These tiny movements could be used to develop better hearing aids that sense the electrical activity in the ear muscles and amplify the sounds a person is trying to focus on while minimising other sounds.
In a study, researchers attached electrodes to the sides of people's heads and asked them to listen closely to an audiobook. They found that the more difficult it was for participants to hear the audiobook, the more the superior auricular muscles activated, as if participants were trying to prick up their ears. When sounds came from behind a participant, the posterior auricular muscles contracted, indicating that the person was attempting to point their ears in that direction.
The exact reason why these muscles became vestigial is unclear, but it is hypothesized that the evolutionary pressure to move the ears ceased as humans became much more proficient with their visual and vocal systems.
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Transverse Auricular Muscle (TAM)
The Transverse Auricular Muscle (TAM) is a relatively unknown but fascinating component of the auricular muscles, which are responsible for controlling the movement of the human ear. This muscle, located in the temporal region of the skull, is small and flat, yet it plays a subtle and critical role in ear movements.
The TAM is one of six intrinsic auricular muscles, which originate and insert within the cartilaginous auricle. These intrinsic muscles contribute to the overall shape of the human ear by forming and positioning the folds of the cartilaginous auricle through the connection of opposing fissure margins. The TAM, specifically, is part of the posterior group of intrinsic auricular muscles, which also includes the oblique muscle (OAM).
The auricular muscles, both extrinsic and intrinsic, are a fascinating aspect of human anatomy. While voluntary ear movement is uncommon, requiring conscious control of the auricular muscles, these muscles can respond reflexively to sound, aiding in the capture of specific noises. This reflexive response is more prominent in animals than in humans, as auricular muscles in humans are considered vestigial, having lost much of their original function through evolution.
Nevertheless, the TAM and other auricular muscles still exhibit minuscule involuntary movements, particularly when responding to sounds originating from the same side of the body (ipsilateral stimulation). These subtle muscle responses are believed to be remnants of a more active system in our ancestors, who relied on ear movements for improved sound localisation and, consequently, survival. Thus, understanding these muscles provides valuable insights into our evolutionary history and the importance of ear care beyond just hearing.
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Frequently asked questions
The superior auricular muscle, found at the top of the ear, is responsible for moving the ear upward and outward.
Yes, the auricular muscles refer to a group of muscles located around the ear, including extrinsic and intrinsic muscles, which play a role in the movement and reflexogenic functions of the ear. The anterior auricular muscle pulls the ear forward, and the posterior auricular muscle moves the ear backward.
Understanding these muscles can offer insights into human anatomy and our evolutionary past. Additionally, the auricular muscles may have applications in improving hearing aids by monitoring muscle activity to adjust the device according to a person's listening experience.
