Age- and Sex-Related Development of the Normal Human Ear in a Child Population

J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Oct;31(7):1971-1973. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000006587.

Abstract

Background: A large number of researches related to auricle development have been conducted in different countries, but there were few similar studies in China, especially in Chinese children. This study was designed to investigate the auricular development by measuring normal age- and sex-related dimensions of auricles in Chinese children.

Methods: A total of 900 participants were evaluated according to their age and gender. From the landmarks, the dimensions of the and tragus including length and width, the relevant indices, inclination angles were measured. The average score of each item was calculated according to age and gender.

Results: The dimensions of the and tragus including width and length showed certain developmental patterns respectively. No significantly difference was found for the inclination angles and relative indices between different age groups and different sides.

Conclusions: The data indicated that there was a certain pattern of auricular development. There were also gender difference in the development of auricle. There were certain proportional relationships between different subunits of the auricle. These results may be useful for designing the plan of auricular reconstruction.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Asian People
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ear / growth & development*
  • Family
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Sex Characteristics