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Embryology and Anomalies of the External Ear

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Advanced Cosmetic Otoplasty

Abstract

The embryology of the ear provides insight into the fundamentals of surgical reconstruction and support to the concepts that guide our approaches to complete excision of redundant elements. The external ear develops from ectodermal and mesodermal elements of the first and second branchial arches. Anomalies of the ear may therefore reflect abnormal development of other first and second arch structures. Accurate recognition of syndromic ear anomalies also allows for the potential detection of other systemic conditions. The authors discuss the embryology of the auricle; external auditory canal; dysmorphogenesis of the auricle; auricular pits, cysts, and sinuses; microtia; anomalies of the antihelical cartilage; protruding ears; cryptotia, anomalies of the external auditory canal; and syndromic ear anomalies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Jeremiah C. Tracy M.D.

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 116 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Jeremiah C. Tracy M.D. & Collin S. Karmody M.D.

  3. Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Otolaryngology-HNS, Tufts University School of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, 860 Washington Street, South 1, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Arnold S. Lee M.D.

  4. Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Service, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., 850, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Andrew R. Scott M.D.

  5. Department of Otolaryngology Pediatries, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Andrew R. Scott M.D.

  6. Divisions of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Andrew R. Scott M.D.

  7. Cleft Lip and Palate Team, Floating Hospital for Children, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Andrew R. Scott M.D.

Authors
  1. Jeremiah C. Tracy M.D.
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  2. Arnold S. Lee M.D.
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  3. Andrew R. Scott M.D.
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  4. Collin S. Karmody M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeremiah C. Tracy M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chatham Drive 17501, Tustin, 92780-2302, California, USA

    Melvin A. Shiffman

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Tracy, J.C., Lee, A.S., Scott, A.R., Karmody, C.S. (2013). Embryology and Anomalies of the External Ear. In: Shiffman, M. (eds) Advanced Cosmetic Otoplasty. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35431-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35431-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-35430-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-35431-1

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