Anterior auricular muscle

The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of three auricular muscles, is a thin, fan-shaped structure originating from the epicranial aponeurosis and inserting into the front of the helix.

Summary:

• origin: epicranial aponeurosis

• insertion: anterior helix

• blood Supply: superficial temporal artery

• innervation: temporal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII)

• action: assists in positioning the ear forward

Gross Anatomy

Origin

The anterior auricular muscle, an extrinsic muscle of the auricle, is the smallest of its kind. It originates as a thin, fan-shaped structure from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis.

Insertion

The anterior auricular muscle inserts into a prominence on the anterior aspect of the helix, at the level of the spina helicis.

Arterial Supply

Several arteries provide a robust collateral blood supply to the anterior aspect of the external ear, including the anterior auricular branches of the superficial temporal artery, the posterior auricular artery, the occipital artery, and the auricular branches of the maxillary arteries.

Venous Drainage

Venous drainage is managed through the pterygoid plexus, external jugular vein, and maxillary veins. Lymphatically, anterior drainage routes into the parotid nodes, while posterior drainage channels into the mastoid nodes, with some drainage also directed towards the deep nodes of the cervical region.

Innervation

The innervation of the anterior auricular muscle is provided by the temporal branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).

Action

Considered a vestigial organ, the anterior auricular muscle functions to draw the auricle of the outer ear upwards or forwards, thereby contributing to the reinforcement and angular positioning of the auricle.