Anterior auricular muscle

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Anterior auricular muscle
Sobo 1909 260 - Auricularis anterior.png
Face and neck muscles. Anterior auricular muscle shown in red.
Gray906 - Anterior auricular muscle.png
The muscles of the auricula. Anterior auricular is at right (indicated by the red arrow).
Details
Origin Temporal fascia
Insertion Major helix (ear)
Artery Posterior auricular artery
Nerve Temporal branch of facial nerve
Actions Pulls ear forward
Identifiers
Latin musculus auricularis anterior
TA98 A04.1.03.020
TA2 2089
FMA 46856
Anatomical terms of muscle

The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of the three auricular muscles, is thin and fan-shaped, and its fibers are pale and indistinct. It arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis, and its fibers converge to be inserted into a projection on the front of the helix.

Contents

Structure

The anterior auricular muscle arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis. [1] It inserts into a projection on the front of the helix. [1]

Nerve supply

The anterior auricular muscle is supplied is supplied by the temporal branch of the facial nerve (VII). [2] [3] It may also receive some small branches from the auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve, itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (V). [4]

Relations

The anterior auricular muscle is the smallest of the three auricular muscles. [1]

The superficial temporal artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, travels underneath the anterior auricular muscle to supply the auricle of the outer ear. [1]

Function

The anterior auricular muscle draws the auricle of the outer ear upwards and forwards. [1] This is a very subtle movement in most people, although some people can wiggle their ears. [1]

See also

Additional images

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mastoid part of the temporal bone</span> Back part of the sides of the skull base

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The tympanic nerve is a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve found near the ear. It gives sensation to the middle ear, the Eustachian tube, the parotid gland, and mastoid air cells. It gives parasympathetic to supply to the parotid gland via the otic ganglion and the auriculotemporal nerve.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medial pterygoid nerve</span> Nerve of the head

The medial pterygoid nerve (nerve to medial pterygoid, or internal pterygoid nerve) is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3). It supplies the medial pterygoid muscle, the tensor veli palatini muscle, and the tensor tympani muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior auricular nerve</span> Nerve of the head

The posterior auricular nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the facial nerve. It communicates with branches from the vagus nerve, the great auricular nerve, and the lesser occipital nerve. Its auricular branch supplies the posterior auricular muscle, the intrinsic muscles of the auricle, and gives sensation to the auricle. Its occipital branch supplies the occipitalis muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior auricular muscle</span> Muscle that pulls the ear upward and backward

The posterior auricular muscle is a muscle behind the auricle of the outer ear. It arises from the mastoid part of the temporal bone, and inserts into the lower part of the cranial surface of the auricle of the outer ear. It draws the auricle backwards, usually a very slight effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior auricular muscle</span> Muscle that draws the auricle of the outer ear upwards

The superior auricular muscle is a muscle above the auricle of the outer ear. It originates from the epicranial aponeurosis, and inserts into the upper part of the medial surface of the auricle. It draws the auricle upwards.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1035 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Niamtu, Joseph (2018). "8 - Cosmetic Otoplasty and Related Ear Surgery". Cosmetic Facial Surgery (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. pp. 473–532. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39393-5.00008-X. ISBN   978-0-323-39402-4. OCLC   976037123.
  2. Barral, Jean Pierre; Croibier, Alain (2009). "19 - Facial nerve". Manual therapy for the cranial nerves. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier. pp. 153–166. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3100-7.50022-7. ISBN   978-0-7020-3736-8. OCLC   460904284.
  3. Rea, Paul (2016). "2 - Head". Essential clinically applied anatomy of the peripheral nervous system in the head and neck. Amsterdam: Academic Press, Elsevier Science. pp. 21–130. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803633-4.00002-8. ISBN   0-12-803664-8. OCLC   939866688.
  4. Barral, Jean-Pierre; Croibier, Alain (2009). "25 - Ear". Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier. pp. 227–238. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3100-7.50028-8. ISBN   978-0-7020-3736-8. OCLC   460904284.