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Development of the human external ear

C G Wright1

  • 1Callier Center for Communication Disorders, University of Texas at Dallas, USA.

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|January 20, 1998
PubMed

Insights

External ear development, including the auricle and auditory canal, begins in early embryonic stages and completes postnatally. Cerumen-producing glands mature functionally by puberty, despite appearing anatomically developed before birth.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Embryology

Background:

  • External ear development is a protracted process spanning embryonic and postnatal phases.
  • The auricle and external auditory canal originate from the pharyngeal arch apparatus.
  • Cerumen-producing glands develop in association with hair follicles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the developmental timeline of the external ear structures.
  • To describe the maturation process of cerumen-producing glands.

Main Methods:

  • Review of embryological and anatomical literature.
  • Chronological analysis of external ear development stages.

Main Results:

  • Auricle and external auditory canal formation begins around weeks 4-5 of gestation.
  • These structures are formed by birth but reach adult size by age 9.
  • Cerumen glands develop by 5 months gestation but achieve functional maturity at puberty.

Conclusions:

  • External ear development is a complex, multi-stage process extending into childhood.
  • Functional maturation of cerumen glands is a late developmental event, occurring at puberty.

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