Prominent ear is a problem caused by the insufficient development of the Y-shaped cartilage fold in the prominent protruding part of the ear. Since the cartilage tissue cannot develop sufficiently, the angle between the skull and the skull widens and the ear protrusion begins to bend forward. As a result, the ears appear open at a wider angle. Under normal conditions, an ear has a length of 6.5 cm and a width of 3.5 cm. The angle between the ear and the head is normally an angle of 30 degrees. The fact that larger angles appear when compared to these given values indicates that there is a prominent ear problem. Although this situation is not proven with measurements, it is of a type that can easily reveal itself when viewed from the outside.
Genetic predisposition is effective in the formation of prominent ears. This situation, which occurs due to genetic factors, should be considered only as a structural difference. The fact that it is common in the children of people with prominent ear appearance in their family reveals that genetic factors are highly effective in prominent ears.
In addition, it occurs due to congenital reasons or various reasons that occur later.
The most important factor in the formation of prominent ears is the ear cartilage structure. The effect that is clearly revealed in the examinations is the inadequacy of the ear protrusion fold called the antihelix. It is seen that the deformity occurring in this region mostly causes the flattening of the head structure, the disproportionateness of the upper protrusion of the ear, and the expansion of the intermediate tissue connecting the ear and the head region behind the ear. In some cases, although the antihelical fold is very well developed, the prominent ear problem may arise because the open part of the ear, called the concha, is too enlarged. The level of cartilage pliability present in the ears may vary depending on the level of estrogen a person receives from their mother. In this case, it reveals the genetic predisposition in the causative factors.
Prof. Berna Uslu Coskun MD