Research Article
Analysis of the Posterior Auricular Muscle
Author(s): Jonathan A. Millard*, Aaron W. Beger, Jon H. Scarborough and Jalen M. Hammonds
The posterior auricular muscle is a small skeletal muscle arising from the mastoid process and inserting onto the eminentia conchae. Many species utilize the auricular muscles to adjust the pinna to better localize sounds. In humans, the muscle is vestigial and consequently its morphological features are not well characterized in the literature. Advances in plastic surgery have identified the potential utility of this muscle in improving the outcomes of otoplasty procedures. Data from 99 left and right posterior auricular muscles from 50 formalin-fixed whole-body donors were collected. Muscle length and width were measured with digital calipers and the number of tendinous insertions was noted. Additionally, information about donor height and age at death were gathered. Descriptive statistics were calculated along with statistical tests evaluating group differences and relationships be.. Read More»
DOI:
10.37532/ijav.2022.15(2).180