ABSTRACT
Background: The morphology of an individual‘s external ear and its
dimensions vary amongst persons to the point that the right and left ears
differ.
Aims: This study is aimed at establishing the anatomical variation in the
auricular structure of the students of University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Methods: The study utilizes a total of 200 students, 101 male and 99 female
subjects within the age range of 16-30 years. Total ear length and breadth of
both ears were measured using a digital vernier caliper (in mm).
Results: Result obtained showed the total ear length for the right ear to
be 54.3 ± 4.12 while that of left ear is 54.2 ± 4.10. The total ear breadth
for the right ear of the subject was 31.4 ± 2.51 while that of left ear was
31.3 ± 2.33. Of the t otal population, oval ear shape was commonly noted
(58%), followed by round (25.5%), rectangular (10%) and triangular (6.5%)
respectively. 100% symmetry was noted with the shape of the right and left
ears. Pearson’s correlation between shape of auricle and gender was not
significant (p=0.798). Inference statistics shows the right and left ears of each
parameter to be significant (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results obtained from this study will serve useful purposes
in ear morphology and anthropometric considerations.