Anthropometric assessment of human auricle in North Indian population

Natl J Maxillofac Surg. 2022 May-Aug;13(2):234-237. doi: 10.4103/njms.njms_347_21. Epub 2022 Jul 15.

Abstract

Introduction: Morphometric studies of the auricle find its place in many areas, such as esthetics, forensic medicine, biology, anthropology, mythology, arts, and acupuncture.

Aims and objective: This study aims at establishing the anatomical variations in the auricular dimensions in North Indian population. The objectives of this study were to measure auricle height in males and females, to measure auricle width in both sexes, to measure lobular height (LH) in both sexes, to measure lobular width (LW) in both sexes, to calculate the auricle index in both sexes, and to calculate lobular index in both sexes.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 130 subjects (78 males and 52 females), in the age group of 18-25 years, without history of genetic disorders, injuries, or any disease of the auricle.

Results: The average length of the auricle was 6.28 cm (right) and 6.23 cm (left), and the average width was 3.21 cm (right) and 3.28 cm (left). The average height of the lobule was 1.76 cm and 1.77 cm on the right and left sides, respectively, while the lobule width was 1.90 cm on the right side and 2.01 cm on the left side.

Conclusion: Total right auricle height and total auricle width of both the right and left ears are more in males as compared to females, and the difference between both the sides was significant. Both right- and left-side LH and LW were higher in males as compared to females.

Keywords: Auricle; external ear; lobule; morphometry; types of the auricle.