Ligaments of auricle

The ligaments of the auricula (ligamenti auricularia [Valsalva]; ligaments of the pinna) consist of two sets: (1) extrinsic, connecting it to the side of the head; (2) intrinsic, connecting various parts of its cartilage together.

The extrinsic ligaments are three in number :

• The anterior ligament extends from the tragus and spina helicis to the root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.
• The superior ligament extends from the upper margin of the bony external meatus to the spine of helix.
• The posterior ligament passes from the posterior surface of the concha to the outer surface of the mastoid process.

The chief intrinsic ligaments are: (a) a strong fibrous band, stretching from the tragus to the commencement of the helix, completing the meatus in front, and partly encircling the boundary of the concha; and (b) a band between the antihelix and the cauda helicis. Other less important bands are found on the cranial surface of the pinna.