Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyVariationsLocationFunctionsDiseasesTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Variations
Location
Functions
Diseases
Treatment
Prevention
The earlobe (lobulus auriculae) is the soft, fleshy flap of skin at the lower part of your outer ear. The earlobe contains a large blood supply with many nerve endings. For some, the earlobes are an erogenous zone.
Genetics largely determine whether your earlobes are attached to your face or dangle freely. Earlobes are not thought to serve any biological purpose.
Occasionally, earlobes may become red, swollen, and painful due to an infection, injury, or allergy.Ear piercingsare especially vulnerable to infection if they are not properly cleaned.
This article looks at the anatomy and function of the earlobes. It also describes different conditions that can affect the earlobes and ways to prevent or treat them.
binabina / E+ / Getty Images
Anatomy of the Earlobes
Unlike the outer ear which is made up ofcartilageand skin, the earlobe (also called the lobule) contains no cartilage. Rather, it is comprised of fibrous tissues known as areolar connective tissue that are rich in blood vessels and nerves. Overlying these tissues is a protective layer of skin, called theepidermis.
Genetics plays a role in determining the size and shape of the earlobe. In some people, the earlobe is attached to the neck or face (known as an “attached earlobe"), while it dangles freely in others (known as a “free earlobe"). Others still fall halfway between the (referred to as a “partially attached earlobe”).
Free earlobes are more common than attached earlobes.
In the past, scientists believed that free earlobes were due to a singledominant gene(much like dark hair), while free earlobes were the result of arecessive gene(like blonde hair). A more recent, large-scale study identified six genetic variants associated with earlobe attachment.
Anatomical Variations
Even beyond attached, partially attached, or free earlobes, there arecongenitalvariations that people are born with. These include:
Location of the Earlobes
The earlobe is situated on the lowest part of theouter ear(also known as theauricleorpinna). It is attached to three interconnected ridges of cartilage that make up the external framework of the ear.
These are referred to as the following:
The earlobe hangs off the bottom of this interconnected circle of cartilage.
What Does the Earlobe Do?
Earlobes do not serve a known biological function. The large blood supply in the earlobes may contribute to keeping the ear warm. Some people also refer to them as an erogenous zone (a part of the body that triggers sexual arousal when touched).
In many cultures, the earlobe is adorned for cosmetic purposes. This includes ear piercings, clip-on earrings, and ear gauging (in which you gradually stretch out pierced holes in your earlobes for aesthetic reasons).
Associated Conditions
Earlobes are vulnerable to injury, infection, and other conditions that can lead to deformity and require aggressive medical intervention.
Examples include:
Diagnosis and Treatment
While some congenital birth defects of the earlobe will self-correct over time, other times they can be treated with ear molding or surgery. Ear molding uses a molding appliance that is worn over the ear for a period of time, usually a couple of weeks. Ear molding is most effective in newborns in the first couple of weeks of life.
Cysts that are painful and persistent may require drainage. To drain a cyst, a physician will make a small incision in the cyst after numbing the area first with a local anesthetic.
Earlobe tearsmay require surgery to repair. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists can all repair torn earlobes.
How to Keep the Earlobes Healthy
The earlobes generally need little care to keep them healthy. It is only when they are exposed to harsh chemicals, irritants, or the elements that trouble can arise. Failure to properly care for piercings is another major concern.
To keep the earlobes healthy:
Summary
Earlobes are the fleshy flaps of skin on the lowest part of the outer ears. The lobes may be attached, partially attached, or free from the skin of the face. They can vary in shape in size from one person to the next.
Earlobes serve no functional purpose but are frequently used for body adornments such as piercings.
Earlobes are vulnerable to infection, irritation, injuries, sun damage, frostbite, and allergic reactions. Good skin care, including the use of sunscreen and daily washing, can keep the earlobes healthy and free from infection.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McGovern Medical School.Ear anatomy - outer ear.Schaffer J, Li J, Keun Lee M, Wang S, Ruiz-Linares A, Weinberg S.Multiethnic GWAS reveals polygenic architecture of earlobe attachment.Am J Hum Genet. 2017;101(6):913-924. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.10.001Tan R, Osman V, Tan G.Ear size as a predictor of chronological age.Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1997;25(2):187-91. doi:10.1016/S0167-4943(97)00010-1.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear deformities.MedlinePlus.Ear lobe crease.National Human Genome Research Institute.Anatomy of the ear.Abadi MRA, Valiani M, Kabir K, Khalajinia Z, Yazdkhasti M.The effectiveness of auriculotherapy on women’s sexual function: A randomized controlled trial.Iran J Psychiatry.10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726. doi:10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726Thompson A.Suntan and sunburn.JAMA.2015;314(6):638. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8045Park JK, Kim KS, Kim SH, Choi J, Yang JY.Reconstruction of a traumatic cleft earlobe using a combination of the inverted V-shaped excision technique and vertical mattress suture method.Arch Craniofac Surg.2017;18(4):277-281. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.277Géhin C, Tokarska J, Fowler SJ, Barran PE, Trivedi DK.No skin off your back: the sampling and extraction of sebum for metabolomics.Metabolomics. 2023;19(4):21. doi:10.1007/s11306-023-01982-3Sartelli M, Guirao X, Hardcastle TC, et al.2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference: Recommendations for the management of skin and soft-tissue infections.World J Emerg Surg. 2018;13(1):58. doi:10.1186/s13017-018-0219-9Blackberg A, Trell K, Rasmussen M.Erysipelas, a large retrospective study of aetiology and clinical presentation.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:402. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1134-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.National Library of Medicine.Photoallergic dermatitis.Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical review of the current management of frostbite injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618Cancer Research UK.What is ear cancer?Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear molding.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for new piercings.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat frostbite.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McGovern Medical School.Ear anatomy - outer ear.Schaffer J, Li J, Keun Lee M, Wang S, Ruiz-Linares A, Weinberg S.Multiethnic GWAS reveals polygenic architecture of earlobe attachment.Am J Hum Genet. 2017;101(6):913-924. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.10.001Tan R, Osman V, Tan G.Ear size as a predictor of chronological age.Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1997;25(2):187-91. doi:10.1016/S0167-4943(97)00010-1.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear deformities.MedlinePlus.Ear lobe crease.National Human Genome Research Institute.Anatomy of the ear.Abadi MRA, Valiani M, Kabir K, Khalajinia Z, Yazdkhasti M.The effectiveness of auriculotherapy on women’s sexual function: A randomized controlled trial.Iran J Psychiatry.10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726. doi:10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726Thompson A.Suntan and sunburn.JAMA.2015;314(6):638. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8045Park JK, Kim KS, Kim SH, Choi J, Yang JY.Reconstruction of a traumatic cleft earlobe using a combination of the inverted V-shaped excision technique and vertical mattress suture method.Arch Craniofac Surg.2017;18(4):277-281. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.277Géhin C, Tokarska J, Fowler SJ, Barran PE, Trivedi DK.No skin off your back: the sampling and extraction of sebum for metabolomics.Metabolomics. 2023;19(4):21. doi:10.1007/s11306-023-01982-3Sartelli M, Guirao X, Hardcastle TC, et al.2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference: Recommendations for the management of skin and soft-tissue infections.World J Emerg Surg. 2018;13(1):58. doi:10.1186/s13017-018-0219-9Blackberg A, Trell K, Rasmussen M.Erysipelas, a large retrospective study of aetiology and clinical presentation.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:402. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1134-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.National Library of Medicine.Photoallergic dermatitis.Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical review of the current management of frostbite injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618Cancer Research UK.What is ear cancer?Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear molding.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for new piercings.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat frostbite.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
McGovern Medical School.Ear anatomy - outer ear.Schaffer J, Li J, Keun Lee M, Wang S, Ruiz-Linares A, Weinberg S.Multiethnic GWAS reveals polygenic architecture of earlobe attachment.Am J Hum Genet. 2017;101(6):913-924. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.10.001Tan R, Osman V, Tan G.Ear size as a predictor of chronological age.Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1997;25(2):187-91. doi:10.1016/S0167-4943(97)00010-1.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear deformities.MedlinePlus.Ear lobe crease.National Human Genome Research Institute.Anatomy of the ear.Abadi MRA, Valiani M, Kabir K, Khalajinia Z, Yazdkhasti M.The effectiveness of auriculotherapy on women’s sexual function: A randomized controlled trial.Iran J Psychiatry.10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726. doi:10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726Thompson A.Suntan and sunburn.JAMA.2015;314(6):638. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8045Park JK, Kim KS, Kim SH, Choi J, Yang JY.Reconstruction of a traumatic cleft earlobe using a combination of the inverted V-shaped excision technique and vertical mattress suture method.Arch Craniofac Surg.2017;18(4):277-281. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.277Géhin C, Tokarska J, Fowler SJ, Barran PE, Trivedi DK.No skin off your back: the sampling and extraction of sebum for metabolomics.Metabolomics. 2023;19(4):21. doi:10.1007/s11306-023-01982-3Sartelli M, Guirao X, Hardcastle TC, et al.2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference: Recommendations for the management of skin and soft-tissue infections.World J Emerg Surg. 2018;13(1):58. doi:10.1186/s13017-018-0219-9Blackberg A, Trell K, Rasmussen M.Erysipelas, a large retrospective study of aetiology and clinical presentation.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:402. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1134-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.National Library of Medicine.Photoallergic dermatitis.Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical review of the current management of frostbite injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618Cancer Research UK.What is ear cancer?Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear molding.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for new piercings.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat frostbite.
McGovern Medical School.Ear anatomy - outer ear.
Schaffer J, Li J, Keun Lee M, Wang S, Ruiz-Linares A, Weinberg S.Multiethnic GWAS reveals polygenic architecture of earlobe attachment.Am J Hum Genet. 2017;101(6):913-924. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.10.001
Tan R, Osman V, Tan G.Ear size as a predictor of chronological age.Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1997;25(2):187-91. doi:10.1016/S0167-4943(97)00010-1.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear deformities.
MedlinePlus.Ear lobe crease.
National Human Genome Research Institute.Anatomy of the ear.
Abadi MRA, Valiani M, Kabir K, Khalajinia Z, Yazdkhasti M.The effectiveness of auriculotherapy on women’s sexual function: A randomized controlled trial.Iran J Psychiatry.10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726. doi:10.18502/ijps.v17i3.9726
Thompson A.Suntan and sunburn.JAMA.2015;314(6):638. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8045
Park JK, Kim KS, Kim SH, Choi J, Yang JY.Reconstruction of a traumatic cleft earlobe using a combination of the inverted V-shaped excision technique and vertical mattress suture method.Arch Craniofac Surg.2017;18(4):277-281. doi:10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.277
Géhin C, Tokarska J, Fowler SJ, Barran PE, Trivedi DK.No skin off your back: the sampling and extraction of sebum for metabolomics.Metabolomics. 2023;19(4):21. doi:10.1007/s11306-023-01982-3
Sartelli M, Guirao X, Hardcastle TC, et al.2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference: Recommendations for the management of skin and soft-tissue infections.World J Emerg Surg. 2018;13(1):58. doi:10.1186/s13017-018-0219-9
Blackberg A, Trell K, Rasmussen M.Erysipelas, a large retrospective study of aetiology and clinical presentation.BMC Infect Dis.2015;15:402. doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1134-2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis overview.
National Library of Medicine.Photoallergic dermatitis.
Zaramo TZ, Green JK, Janis JE.Practical review of the current management of frostbite injuries.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022;10(10):e4618. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004618
Cancer Research UK.What is ear cancer?
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ear molding.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for new piercings.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to prevent and treat frostbite.
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