Anatomy Organs The Anatomy of Outer Ear By Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Rachael is a freelance healthcare writer and critical care nurse based near Cleveland, Ohio. Learn about our editorial process Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN Published on January 11, 2021 Print There is much more to the ear than what you see from the outside. There are three parts to the ear—the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These sections work together to collect sound from the world around you and send it to the brain where speech and auditory centers translate the information. The outer ear is the part of the ear that you can see and where sound waves enter the ear before traveling to the inner ear and brain. While the outer ear may not be as complex as its counterparts, it serves a vital function in your sense of hearing. AndreiDavid / Getty Images Anatomy Structure The outer ear—sometimes called the auricle or pinna—is mostly made of skin and cartilage. It is made up of several components: Helix: The outermost curvature of the ear, extending from where the ear joins the head at the top to where it meets the lobule. The helix begins the funneling of sound waves into the earFossa, superior crus, inferior crus, and antihelix: These sections make up the middle ridges and depressions of the outer ear. The superior crus is the first ridge that emerges moving in from the helix. The inferior crus is an extension of the superior crus, branching off toward the head. The antihelix is the lowest extension of this ridge. Fossas are the depressions between these ridges. These shapes work together to funnel sound waves collected at the helix toward the middle earConcha: The concha is the depressed area at the opening of the middle ear, or the external acoustic meatus. The concha is the final point that directs sound into the earTragus and antitragus: These two cartilage prominences border the concha at the top and bottomLobule: The lobule is the bottom-most part of the ear, often called the earlobe. It is the only part of the outer ear that is not supported by cartilage. Since this section is softer and has a larger blood supply than the rest of the ear, it is thought to help keep the rest of the ear warmExternal acoustic meatus: This inch-long section is sometimes called the ear canal, and serves as the bridge between the outer and middle ear. It’s a hollow tube that curves slightly downward as it moves into the ear toward the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. The eardrum is the ending point of the outer ear and the beginning of the middle ear ttsz / Getty Images The Anatomy of the Ear Location The outer ear lies directly next to the middle ear. Though mostly made of cartilage and skin, the outer ear arises from the temporal bone. Located on either side of the head, the ears are found directly over the temporal lobe of the brain. This is the part of the brain that controls speech, hearing, memory, and some emotion. Anatomical Variations While ears may seem simple and functional, they are also very unique. The exact size and shape of the outer ridges of the ear and the lobule are different for everyone. Genetics play a role in the size and shape of your ear—including whether the lobule hangs freely or is completely attached to the side of your head. Function The outer ear is divided into several sections, but they all work together toward one purpose: The helix, antihelix, superior and inferior crus, the tragus and antitragus, the concha, and the external acoustic meatus all work together to funnel and direct sound waves from the world around you to the inner parts of your ears. Sound waves are carried from the outer ear and ear canal to the tympanic membrane, where vibrations are sent through the middle and inner ears and become electrical impulses (sound signals). These signals then give your brain information about both sound and the direction and balance of your body. Many nerves run through the ear, and they are responsible for carrying signals about sound and balance to the brain. The skin of the ear canal is thin and very sensitive, and branches of the facial and vagus nerves run under portions of the ear canal and other parts of the outer ear. Other cranial nerves run through the ear as well, but have little to no known function. Hearing Loss and Deafness Associated Conditions A number of conditions can affect the outer ear. Depending on the cause, these problems can be treated by a primary care physician or an audiologist. The outer ear is prone to these medical issues: Auricular hematoma: This is a condition where blood collects between the cartilage of the ear and the overlying layer of skin. It is typically caused by trauma, and is a common sports injury. The blood may reabsorb on its own, but more severe causes could require drainage by a health care professional. If left undrained, severe cases could lead to necrosis of the cartilage—a condition commonly known as cauliflower earCerumen impaction: Various skin cells and glands in the ear canal secrete waxy substances that protect the canal, but can also cause a buildup of earwax, or cerumen. Normally, cerumen can be removed as it builds, but in some cases it builds to the point that it obstructs the ear canal or eardrum. These cases may be associated with itchiness, pain, tinnitus, or even hearing loss. Your doctor will likely give you a medication to soften the wax. Over-the-counter ear drops won't cause harm, but it’s not certain whether they can help either. Irrigation and manual removal by a health care provider may be necessary in more severe casesExostoses: These are bony growths in the ear canal, sometimes referred to as surfer’s ear. They appear as small, smooth bony growths, usually in both ears. Exostoses may appear after exposure of the ear to cold water, but they can also happen without water exposure. Most of the time, exostoses don’t require treatment. Surgical removal may be required if hearing loss or obstruction occurs, however. Otherwise, your doctor may choose to observe the exostoses and clean the area of any skin cells or debris that becomes trapped between the growthsObstructions: Obstructions occur when there is a foreign body lodged in the ear canal. A common problem with small children, items lodged in the ear can cause irritation, inflammation, and the formation of ulcers. Extraction should be done by a doctor using the appropriate pain management and equipmentOtitis externa: Often called swimmer's ear, this is a condition that happens when the outer ear canal becomes infected, irritated, or inflamed. Usually caused by bacteria in contaminated water, this condition can cause pain and even swelling or eardrum injury. It can be treated with antibiotics, steroids, and pain medications The Dos and Don'ts for Removing Ear Wax Safely Birth Defects Involving the Outer Ear A number of congenital conditions—or condition present at birth—can affect the outer ear:Microtia: This problem arises when the outer folds of the outer ear develop improperly or not at all. Most of the time, this condition affects only one earAtresia: Congenital aural atresia is fairly common and occurs when the ear canal doesn’t develop properly. This problem, present at birth, can appear in one or both ears. It can sometimes occur alongside microtiaWith both of these congenital defects, hearing tests should be done by a pediatric audiologist soon after birth to determine if the problem is cosmetic or if it interferes with hearing. Surgery is a possibility for children with impaired hearing from either of these issues, but isn’t recommended before age 5. Tests The location of the outer ear and its structures make examining this part of the body fairly straightforward. In most cases, your doctor will be able to visually inspect the outer ear. In some cases, they may use an otoscope for a more detailed view. An otoscope is a magnifying device with a light that is inserted into the ear canal for a view of the canal and eardrum. If your doctor needs to see the underlying or deeper structures, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be required. Hearing Tests If a hearing test is recommended to evaluate your outer ear problem, your doctor may perform some basic testing and then you may be referred to an audiologist. Some types of hearing tests include: Pure-tone test: This test is also called an audiometry test. You will hear a variety of sounds played through headphones. This test helps find the quietest sounds you can hear at different pitchesTuning fork tests: A two-pronged metal fork is placed behind your ear or on the top of the head. The provider performing the test will strike the fork to make a tone. This test can show if there is hearing loss in one or both ears. It can also show which type of hearing loss you have Talk to your doctor if you have ongoing ear pain or are experiencing hearing loss. You should always check with a health care professional before putting anything in your ear. Some home remedies, like candling, are no longer recommended. When To Seek Help Hearing problems can become serious or dangerous when you can't hear things like:Safety informationOncoming trafficEmergency signalsBalance problems are often more emergent since issues with your vestibular system can cause falls and lead to injury.If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. What Is Causing Your Ear Pain? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. University of Texas Health, McGovern Medical School. Ear Anatomy-Outer Ear. Teach Me Anatomy. The External Ear. Dartmouth. Basic Human Anatomy: The Ear. American Academy of Family Physicians. Cerumen Impaction: Diagnosis and Management. Updated October 2018. Stanford Medicine. Exosteses. Up-To-Date. Diagnosis and management of foreign bodies in the outer ear. Updated October 2020. Medline Plus. Swimmer's ear. Updated August 2020. Stanford Children’s Health. Congenital Aural Atresia and Microtia. MedlinePlus. Hearing tests for adults. Updated December 15, 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics. Updated guideline advises on treating children with impacted cerumen. Updated 2017.