Posterior Perspective of the Transverse Auricular Muscle Under the Skin

Description

Positioned on the posterior surface of the auricle, the transversus auriculae spans between the medial aspects of the conchal cartilage and adjacent eminences on the cranial side of the pinna, its fibers running transversely beneath the thin auricular skin. From this posterior perspective, the helix and antihelix form the lateral rim, while the concha lies more medial and anterior, creating the shallow bowl that opens toward the external acoustic meatus. Superior and inferior contours of the auricle are maintained by the elastic cartilage, with the transverse auricular muscle shown as a fine, superficial sheet closely adherent to the perichondrium. Small, linear fiber direction is the point. Auricular intrinsic muscles are often ignored in standard head and neck plates, yet they matter when you are teaching the layered anatomy of the pinna or planning incisions that elevate skin from cartilage. A posterior auricular approach for otoplasty, postauricular hematoma evacuation, or exposure for cartilage scoring places the surgeon directly in the plane where the transversus auriculae can be encountered and divided, and where careful undermining helps avoid contour deformity and postoperative tethering. Motor supply derives from branches of the facial nerve (typically posterior auricular or temporal branches), a helpful reminder when discussing facial nerve course near the auricle. Use this plate in otolaryngology and plastic surgery teaching files to clarify intrinsic auricular musculature, in anatomy curricula covering the external ear and facial nerve, or in medical publishing where a clean posterior pinna dissection plane needs to be illustrated without the distraction of deeper parotid or mastoid landmarks. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.