The cartilage
The cartilaginous framework of the auricle gives it its typical shape and gives it the necessary stability, while remaining elastic and soft. These properties are due to the fact that the cartilage consists of so-called elastic cartilage. This cartilage contains a particularly large number of elastic fibers made up of elastin and fibrillin.
Around the cartilage there is a so-called cartilage skin, also called perichondrium, which contains firm connective tissue on the one hand and cells for the regeneration of the cartilage on the other. In addition, blood vessels run through the cartilage skin, but they do not run through the cartilage itself. Therefore, the cartilage skin also serves to nourish the cartilage via diffusion.
The function
The absence of a layer of fat means that heat can be dissipated via the ears. However, this thermoregulatory effect plays a minor role in humans. Much more important is the function of the pinna to capture sound like a funnel and then transmit it to the inner ear via the outer and middle ear.
The pinna is therefore part of the sound conducting apparatus. The auricle not only serves to capture and transmit sound, but also plays a special role in directional hearing. The special shape of the auricle with its folds, inward and outward curvatures causes incident sound frequencies to be reflected to different degrees or amplified by resonance. These fine differences are then processed by the nerve cells of the central nervous system.This enables spatial hearing, with the differentiation of whether the sound source is in front, behind, above or below the listener.
Pain in the auricle
Various causes can lead to pain in the auricle. On the one hand, they can be harmless causes like cold. The skin on the cartilage and also in the ear canal is very sensitive to cold.
For example, if only the skin hurts, it is possible that a rash, also called eczema, has formed on the ear, which can itch and also hurt. On the other hand, it can also be a so-called herpes zoster. This is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which can affect anyone who has ever had chickenpox.
The extremely painful herpes forms small blisters and crusts and a redness. This condition can lead to hearing loss and facial paralysis on the affected side. Another possible cause is Otitis Externa, the inflammation of the outer ear.
Here, an infection with viruses, fungi or bacteria, or chronic irritation, e.g. in the form of moisture or mechanical stress, can lead to an inflammation of the outer ear, which can be dry and crusty, but also weeping. Likewise, an inflammation of the middle ear, which typically causes pain in the inner part of the ear, can radiate to the outside. It is especially important to note for small children, as they often cannot express themselves yet and even with inner ear pain they only touch the auricle, as the ear hurts.
If the aching ear is characterized by fever, fatigue and clear overheating and redness of the ear, it can also be a erysipelas. This is a bacterial inflammation of the skin, which can be dangerous and therefore requires a visit to a doctor or clinic. An inflammation of the middle ear, which typically causes pain in the inner part of the ear, can also radiate to the outside.
It is especially important to note for small children, as they often cannot yet express themselves and even with inner ear pain, they only touch the auricle because the ear hurts. If the aching ear is characterized by fever, fatigue and clear overheating and redness of the ear, it can also be a erysipelas. This is a bacterial inflammation of the skin, which can be dangerous and therefore requires a visit to a doctor or clinic.
