The part of the ear that projects from the head, connecting to the external acoustic meatus. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinna_(anatomy) http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6601-2165 ]
Synonyms: auricle of ear pinna of ear auricle auricula auricula (auris externa) auricle of external ear
Term information
- FMA:56580
- UMLS:C0928075 (ncithesaurus:Auricle)
- NCIT:C32165
- galen:Auricle
- VHOG:0000460
- Wikipedia:Pinna_(anatomy)
- EHDAA2:0001467
- EV:0100355
- EMAPA:17589
- MA:0000259
- SCTID:421159007
uberon_slim, pheno_slim
The external expanded part of the ear characterized by a funnel-shaped structure through which the sound vibrations are received. [Dorian_AF, Elsevier's_encyclopaedic_dictionary_of_medicine, Part_B:_Anatomy_(1988)_Amsterdam_etc.:_Elsevier][VHOG]
The purpose of the pinna is to collect sound. It does so by acting as a funnel, amplifying the sound and directing it to the ear canal. While reflecting from the pinna, sound also goes through a filtering process which adds directional information to the sound (see sound localization, head-related transfer function, pinna notch).
Mammals have a third type of tympanic ear. An external flap, the auricle or pinna, helps funnel sound waves down the external acoustic meatus to the tympanic membrane.[well established][VHOG]
Term relations
- subdivision of head
- part of some external ear
- continuous with some external acoustic meatus
- has quality some reflectivity
- only in taxon some Mammalia
- develops from some auditory hillocks