Why do auricles have the highest density of acupuncture points?
The distribution of acupuncture points and organizing centers is closely related to the morphology of the organism. For example, the auricle, which has the most complex surface morphology, also has the highest density of acupuncture points. Although an auricle has no important nerves or blood vessels and no significant physiological function other than sound collection, its morphology is one of the most sensitive signs of malformations in other organs. Auricular malformation has been observed in Turner syndrome, Potter syndrome, Treacher-Collins syndrome, Patau syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Noonan syndrome, maternal diabetes, atherosclerosis,[68] Goldenharr syndrome, Beckwith syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Cri-du-chat syndrome and fragile X syndrome. It is recommended in a standard textbook of pediatrics that any auricular anomaly should initiate a search for malformations in other parts of the body.[69] Based on the phase gradient model in developmental biology, [38,70] many organizing ce
