The primary cause of ears that appear large or stick out prominently is an underdeveloped antihelical fold. This specific anatomical feature of the ear's cartilage plays a crucial role in how the ear lies against the head.
Understanding Prominent Ears
Ears are considered prominent, or protruding, when they extend more than 2 centimeters from the side of the head. This is a cosmetic concern for some individuals, but it's important to note that it does not impact a person's hearing or other ear functions.
The Role of the Antihelical Fold
- Anatomical Feature: The antihelical fold is a natural curve or fold of cartilage within the ear.
- Function: It's responsible for pulling the top portion of the ear closer to the head.
- Underdevelopment: When this fold is not sufficiently developed, the ear tends to stick out. This is the most common reason for prominent ears according to the provided reference.
Other Contributing Factors
While the underdeveloped antihelical fold is the main cause, other factors can contribute, although they are less common:
- Conchal Bowl Enlargement: Sometimes, the conchal bowl, which is the deep cavity of the ear near the ear canal, can be excessively large, causing the ear to protrude.
- Genetic Predisposition: There may be a genetic component, meaning that prominent ears can run in families.
Summary
To summarize, "big ears" that are considered to stick out are predominantly due to:
- Underdeveloped antihelical fold
- Sometimes enlarged conchal bowl
- Potential genetic factors
It's important to understand that prominent ears are a normal variation in human anatomy and do not cause any functional problems.
