Antitragicus

Antitragicus
The muscles of the ear (antitragicus visible at bottom center).
Details
OriginOuter part of the antitragus
InsertionCauda helicis and antihelix
ArteryAuricular branch of superficial temporal and auricular branches of posterior auricular artery
NerveFacial nerve
ActionsModifies the auricular shape
Identifiers
Latinmusculus antitragicus
TA98A15.3.01.042
TA22098
FMA48980
Anatomical terms of muscle

The antitragicus is an intrinsic muscle of the outer ear.

In human anatomy, the antitragicus arises from the outer part of the antitragus, and is inserted into the cauda helicis (or tail of the helix) and antihelix.[1][2]

The function of the muscle is to adjusts the shape of the ear by pulling the antitragus and cauda helicis towards each other. While the muscle modifies the auricular shape only minimally in the majority of individuals, this action could increase the opening into the external acoustic meatus in some.[1]

The helicis minor is developmentally derived from the second pharyngeal arch.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Antitragus". AnatomyExpert. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Henry Gray (1825–1861). Anatomy of the Human Body. 1918". Bartleby.com. Retrieved 9 March 2013.