The external expanded part of the ear characterized by a funnel-shaped structure through which the sound vibrations are received. [Dorian_AF, Elsevier's_encyclopaedic_dictionary_of_medicine, Part_B:_Anatomy_(1988)_Amsterdam_etc.:_Elsevier][VHOG]

The purpose of the pinna is to collect sound. It does so by acting as a funnel, amplifying the sound and directing it to the ear canal. While reflecting from the pinna, sound also goes through a filtering process which adds directional information to the sound (see sound localization, head-related transfer function, pinna notch).

uberon

pinnae

Mammals have a third type of tympanic ear. An external flap, the auricle or pinna, helps funnel sound waves down the external acoustic meatus to the tympanic membrane.[well established][VHOG]

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In various species, the pinna can also signal mood and radiate heat

• nerve innervating pinna

• parotidoauricular muscle

• posterior auricular artery

• helix of outer ear
• mesenchyme of pinna
• pinna surface epithelium
• pinna hair
• antitragus
• antihelix
• tragus
• conchal part of pinna
• ligament of pinna
• auricular cartilage
• lobule of pinna
• skin of external ear
• intertragic incisure
• auricular muscle