Protruding ears

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Classification according to ICD-10
Q17.5 Protruding auricles
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)
Photo by Paul Gibbert , 1932 or earlier
Self-portrait by Otto Illies , around 1912

Protruding ears ( Latin : Otapostasis or Apostasis otum ) are present when one or both auricles protrude more than 30 ° from the head or the distance between the edge of the auricle and head is more than 20 mm. Colloquially , the term “ sail ears ” is usually used . Plastic surgeons sometimes speak of grade I dysplasia (or “minor deformity”).

Protruding ears show a familial cluster, which is probably due to genetic predispositions. However, this shall not constitute a disease but an anatomic variant, but can at teasing by the social environment suffering produce and acquire pathological significance.

Ear anatomy

The ear consists of a single piece of cartilage , this is covered with a thin skin (front: 0.8 to 1.2 mm, back: 1.2 to 3 mm thick). The skin can only be moved slightly on the back, and is firmly attached to the cartilage on the front. The back and front of the auricle have bulges and depressions, based on the structure of the cartilage (see auricle ). They have on the pinna front of the names Anthelix , scapha, superior crus and crus inferior of Anthelix, Trigonum triangulier, cymba, concha cavum .

Features of an ear shape called "aesthetic":

  • The longitudinal axis of the auricle shows an inclination of 15 to 20 ° backwards
  • The ear is positioned back about 1 ear length (5.5 to 7 cm) from the edge of the zygomatic bone
  • The width of the auricle is about 50 to 60% of the length
  • The angle between the auricle and the skull ( planum mastoideum ) is 21 to 30 °.
  • The edge of the auricle (helix) is about 1.5 to 2 cm away from the head
  • The earlobe and the antihelical fold are parallel
  • The earlobe connects to the skin of the neck at an acute angle
  • In a frontal view, the top of the helical edge is often about 2 to 5 mm more projected than the antihelical fold. However, it can also lie on the same level as the component or move behind the components, so that it cannot be seen in places when looking from the front and precisely from the center.

Measurement

The position of the auricle in relation to the head can be indicated on the one hand with the angle to the head plane ( planum mastoideum ), which measures an average of 21 to 30 °. This measured value is the so-called scapho-chonchal angle (see auricle ). On the other hand, it is possible to measure the distance between the edge of the auricle and the head. The average values ​​are up to ≈19 mm at the top, up to 20 mm in the middle and up to 16 mm in the earlobe area. If these values ​​are exceeded, the characteristic “protruding ears” applies, according to Weerda.

General consequences

In humans, protruding ears have little or no noticeable impact on hearing. It is different in the animal world, where the perception of direction through the localization of the sound sources is vital and, in addition to the ability to hear, the position and mobility of the ears are of great importance. The animals can really prick up their ears, which is only true in a figurative sense in humans - even if the remains of seven muscles that originally had this function are still detectable in humans.

Psychological consequences

Protruding ears can become a burden with psychological consequences due to the deviation from the norm . The load cannot necessarily be correlated with the measurement results (millimeters or angular position).

A 1963 scientific study of 285 people found that teasing and fear of being ridiculed over and over again can tarnish both childhood and adulthood. It can therefore be useful to eliminate the form and position error.

correction

Surgical procedures are available for ear fitting (ear correction, surgery on protruding ears, auricle plasty, auricle fitting operation), see otopexy . The ear big surgeries are among the most common cosmetic surgeries in the head and neck area.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Hilko Weerda: Surgery of the auricle. Georg Thieme Verlag, 2004, ISBN 3-13-130181-3 .
  2. ↑ Michael Reiss (2009): Specialist knowledge of ENT medicine: Differentiated diagnostics and therapy. Springer, pp. 193f, ISBN 3540894403 .
  3. ^ JE Janis, RJ Rohrich, KA Gutowski: Otoplasty. In: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery . Volume 115, No. 4, 2005, 60e-72e.
  4. ^ Leslie G. Farkas: Anthropometry of the Head and Face . 2nd edition, Raven Press, New York 1994, p. 333, ISBN 0781701597 .
  5. ^ DMC Ju: The Psychological Effect of Protruding Ears. In: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Volume 31, No. 5, 1963, pp. 424-427.
  6. ^ Hoffmann-LaRoche , Urban & Schwarzenberg (eds.): Lexicon Medicine . 3., rework. Aufl., Munich 1993, p. 1220, ISBN 3-541-11213-1 .

Web links

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