Pinna Anatomy
The pinna, or auricle, consists of the flat part of the auricular cartilage, covered by skin on both sides. The convex surface is haired, even in some hairless breeds such as the Chinese Crested dog.
Most of the concave surface is glabrous in cats and is variably haired in dogs, depending on the breed. In the most hirsute breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel the area around the ear canal opening is glabrous. The proximal part of the auricular cartilage folds into different tubercles and ridges and forms the ear canal opening, which includes the anthelix (medial), tragus (lateral), and antitragus (caudal) (Figure 12-1). (See also Chapter 1.)Nineteen muscles attached on the skull and the auricular, annular, and scutiform cartilages allow the independent and complex pinnal movements observed in dogs and cats. The evolutionary role of pinnae is not clear. It may be related to sound collection (mobility of the pinna) or to prevention against foreign bodies (pendulous ears); it may even play an ornamental role.
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