Revisited Arterial Supply of the Anterior Ear

Abstract

Background: Since arterial supply of the anterior ear was described in 1992 by Park et al, various anatomical studies and surgical techniques have been published in the literatures. Although anatomic studies about the vascular pattern of the ear have been previously reported, most were incomplete to understand the vascular anatomy of the ear and its surgical outcomes. In this report, the authors defined further detailed vascular pattern of the arterial networks and of the main perforators of the anterior ear. Methods: The authors dissected in a total of 11 auricles that had been fixed in 10% formalin solution. Prior to dissection, a red latex solution was injected into the common carotid artery. The anteroauricular and postauricular skin was dissected to expose the arterial network under Â10 microscope magnification. Results: There are 2 arterial networks in the anteroauricular surface of the ear: triangular-scapha fossa and concha network. In this study, triangular-scapha fossa network has 2 vascular patterns by a dominant arterial supply: the superficial temporal artery (STA) type (6/11, 54.5%) and the posterior auricular artery (PAA) type (5/11, 45.4%). The STA type is distributed by a subbranch of the ascending helical artery of the STA, whereas the dominant arterial supply of the PAA type is a perforator of the triangular fossa from the PAA. We describe an important inflow to the triangular-scapha fossa network as blood supply from the middle division of the PAA, which directly emerges from the posterior to the anterior surface over the cartilage border at midhelix. Conclusions: The detailed vascular anatomy of this report allows surgeons to perform surgical procedures safely and to develop various flaps in the field of the ear reconstruction.

Reconstruction of partial auricular skin cancer defects: a review of current techniques

“…Coursing anterior to the tragus, the superficial temporal artery gives off three perpendicular branches (superior, middle and inferior anterior branches). The superior branch is the most consistent branch and courses superiorly to the helical rim where it contributes to the helical rim arcade in conjunction with branches of the postauricular artery [3]. It supplies the superior crus of the antihelix, scapha and triangular fossa.…”

“…Recent anatomical studies have re-evaluated the arterial supply of the ear with the description of predictable branches, arcades and perforators [2,3]. The arterial supply of the auricle is derived from branches of the superficial temporal (STA) and postauricular arteries.…”

Using Auricular Cartilage-fascia Composite Tissue Free Grafting Technique to Improve Cartilage Survival Outcomes

“…Therefore, many efforts have been made to increase the likelihood of auricular cartilage graft survival, but still, there is no agreement or consensus on the ideal cartilage graft preparation, and all options seem to possess their advantages and disadvantages. Prior human anatomical studies have described the rich arterial vascular map of the auricle 6,7 . Overall, the majority of the vessels lie in the loose connective tissue overlying the dorsum of the auricle, which has been named intrinsic postauricular fascia (IPF) 8 .…”

“…Prior human anatomical studies have described the rich arterial vascular map of the auricle. 6,7 Overall, the majority of the vessels lie in the loose connective tissue overlying the dorsum of the auricle, which has been named intrinsic postauricular fascia (IPF). 8 IPF may play a more important role in auricular cartilage nutrition and repair.…”