In Anatomy, What Is the Auricle?
When talking about human anatomy, the auricle may refer to two distinct body parts — a part of the heart or a part of the ear. As an ear part, the auricle refers to the part of the ear that exists outside of the head. In the heart, the auricle is a part of the atrium. In reference to the ear, the auricle is the entire external part of the ear. Most people, and especially children, think of the auricle when they refer to the “ear” as opposed to the entire ear including the middle ear and inner ear. This type of auricle is also commonly called the pinna.
