Earlobes: Structure, Function & Diseases

The complexity of the human body is fascinating and unique. Even the smallest parts have their importance and justification. The following is a more detailed description of the earlobe in terms of its structure, function and potential problems.

What is the earlobe?

The human ear consists of the inner ear, middle ear and outer ear. The inner ear includes the cochlea, the actual organ of hearing, the three semicircular canals and the organ of balance. The middle ear consists of the eardrum, the three ossicles hammer, stirrup and anvil and the eustachian cavity. The outer ear is made up of the pinna, the auditory canal and the earlobe. The word “earlobe” is derived from the Latin word “lobulus auriculae”. It is attached to the auricle, but in special cases it may be completely absent or attached. This depends on dominant or recessive inheritance. Free ear lobes are inherited dominantly, attached ones recessively. Similar to human fingerprints, the skin lobes are extremely individual in their expression.

Anatomy and structure

The earlobe is not cartilage, unlike the rest of the ear, which is largely cartilage. It is made of skin, much fat, and connective tissue. There is a fine network of capillaries in the earlobe. Capillaries are the finest, smallest vessels. As a result, the earlobe has an extremely strong blood supply compared to the rest of the ear. Another special feature is the earlobe’s low sensitivity to pain. These two characteristics mean that doctors like to use the earlobe more often than the more pain-sensitive fingertip when taking blood drops. For example, the capillary blood on the earlobe is often used to determine the lactate value, which is important for athletes, or the blood glucose value. Doctors distinguish between different types of earlobe. Thus, earlobe hypoplasia refers to small, grown earlobes and earlobe hyperplasia are to large skin lobes. In addition, a baby may be born with earlobe deformities. All three of these varieties can be surgically altered, but they do not have to be.

Function and tasks

At the current time, scientists do not agree on whether the earlobe has its own function on the ear. Even today, the ear is one of the least studied parts of the body. For this reason, researchers are divided on whether the skin flap on the outer ear really performs the function of a resonating body. From a physical point of view, it does not have the properties that such a body should have. Furthermore, it has not yet been proven that people without earlobes hear worse than those with. On the contrary, it is considered a fact that the earlobe is an erogenous zone for many people. This is also related to the types of ear jewelry known in the Western world and other cultures – whether ear piercings, piercings or more unusual variants. The fact is that the earlobe is often used as a jewelry carrier for earrings and studs. In alternative medicine, the earlobes are considered reflex zones. They can be massaged as well as acupunctured. The “lobulus auriculae” is considered a point representing the head. If this is massaged, a person can relax, he becomes more concentrated, more alert, and according to naturopathy, the energies in the body can flow again afterwards. Many people unconsciously massage their earlobes in stressful situations or when they are under tension.

Diseases and ailments

As with many parts of the body, the skin flap on the outer ear can cause problems and pain. Here it is important to distinguish between different areas: Pain that occurs due to ear holes or piercings and those that have a genetic cause. Common causes of pain in the soft lobe of the ear are dirty ear studs and piercings. Due to lack of hygiene, inflammation occurs. In this case, the jewelry should be removed immediately and cleaned thoroughly. The inflamed area can be rubbed with an anti-inflammatory ointment. It may also be that there is a basic allergy to nickel, from which ear studs are often made. In this case, it is best to switch to nickel-free plugs to avoid inflammation and irritation. A genetic reason for problems on the earlobe are the so-called atheromas. These are benign soft tissue tumors that can form under the skin.They are also colloquially referred to as “grit bags”. They are formed from dead skin cells that remain in the vicinity of a sebaceous gland, where they slowly develop into a kind of sac. They encapsulate dead tissue within themselves. Should such a cyst form, it must not be squeezed or opened. This will lead to serious inflammation. An ear, nose and throat specialist should be consulted who can surgically remove the atheroma completely. Only by removing it cleanly can it be prevented from forming again.