b

Supraorbital A.

Supratrochlear A.

Dorsal nasal A.

Superior/inferior palpebral A.

Angular A.

Fig. 6.9 (continued)

Superior palpebral A.

Lacrimal A.

Frontal branch of superficial temporal A.

Zygomaticoorbital A.

Infraorbital A.

Transverse facial A.

Facial A.

External carotid A.

Summary: Auricular

•The surface topography of the ear is highly complex.

•The ear receives vascular supply exclusively from the external carotid artery system.

•Sensory innervation of the auricle is supplied by four cranial nerves and the greater auricular nerve.

6.6Auricular

The surface anatomy of the ear is complex, with intermixing of multiple convex and concave surfaces [7]. Notable anatomic landmarks of the ear include the

helix, crura, scaphoid fossa, triangular fossa, conchal bowl, antihelix, tragus, antitragus, and lobule (Fig. 6.10). The auricular cartilage is found in the upper two-thirds of the ear.

6.6.1Vasculature

Blood supply to the auricle is derived entirely from the external carotid artery system [8]. The lobule and posterior ear are supplied by the occipital and posterior auricular arteries. The conchal bowl is supplied by branches of the posterior auricular artery. The anterior auricular artery, which branches off of the superficial temporal artery, supplies the anterior ear.