Yes, the outer ear can be injured, including tearing.
Types of Outer Ear Injuries
According to the provided reference, a common type of outer ear injury is:
- Avulsion (pulling or tearing away): During an accident or trauma, part of the ear can tear off. The ear can pull away from the head, either partially or completely. Some avulsion injuries require cosmetic surgery to repair the ear. This is essentially a break in the tissue.
In essence, a traumatic event can cause the outer ear to tear, which would constitute a break in its structure. These injuries might require surgery to correct.