Auricular Deformational Anomalies Detected in Human Fetal Cadavers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and diversity of deformational auricular anomalies in human fetuses based on their morphologic appearances. A total of 100 auricles from 56 formalin-fixed fetuses (32 female and 24 male), gestational ages ranging from 17 to 36 weeks, were examined. The auricles were categorized according to the morphologic deformities outlined in existing literature. Of the samples analyzed, 67% exhibited auricular deformities, while the remaining 33% showed no auricle anomalies. Among the auricles with deformities, 73% displayed a single type of deformity: Conchal crus, 22%; Stahl’s ear, 13%; inverted conchal bowl, 13%; lidding ear, 12%; cup ear, 7%; and constricted ear, 6%. In addition, 27% of the auricles exhibited 2 different deformities on the same side: Conchal crus with lidding ear, 10%; conchal crus with Stahl’s ear, 5%; conchal crus with the antihelix 3rd crus, 3%; constricted ear with lidding ear, 5%; constricted ear with cup ear, 2%; and constricted ear with inverted conchal bowl, 2%. The most prevalent deformity was conchal crus, whereas cup ear was the least. Among the fetuses, 10 had bilaterally normal auricles, 8 had unilaterally normal auricles, 12 exhibited the same deformity bilaterally, and 14 displayed different deformities on each side. Auricular deformational variations can vary in shape and symmetry, even in morphologically normal fetuses. Identifying these deformities can contribute to accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for such anomalies in newborns.