Attollens Aurem.
Attrahens Aurem.
Retrahens Aurem.

These three small muscles are placed immediately beneath the skin around the external ear. In man, in whom the external ear is almost immoveable, they are rudimentary. They are the analogues of large and important muscles in some of the mammalia.

Dissection. This requires considerable care, and should be performed in the following manner. To expose the Attollens aurem; draw the pinna or broad part of the ear downwards, when a tense band will be felt beneath the skin, passing from the side of the head to the upper part of the concha; by dividing the skin over the tendon, in a direction from below upwards, and then reflecting it on each side, the muscle is exposed. To bring into view the Attrahens aurem, draw the helix backwards by means of a hook, when the muscle will be made tense, and may be exposed in a similar manner to the preceding. To expose the Retrahens aurem, draw the pinna forwards, when the muscle being made tense may be felt beneath the skin, at its insertion into the back part of the concha, and may be exposed in the same manner as the other muscles.

The Attollens Aurem (superior auriculae), the largest of the three, is thin, and of a radiated form; it arises from the aponeurosis of the Occipito-frontalis, and is inserted by a thin, flattened tendon into the upper and anterior part of the concha.

Relations. Externally, with the integument; internally, with the Temporal aponeurosis.

The Attrahens Aurem (anterior auriculae), the smallest of the three, is of a triangular form, very thin in texture, and its fibres pale and indistinct. It arises from the lateral edge of the aponeurosis of the Occipito-frontalis; its fibres converge to be inserted into the front of the helix.

Relations. Externally, with the skin; internally, with the temporal fascia, which separates it from the temporal artery and vein.

The Retrahens Aurem (posterior auriculas) consists of two or three fleshy fasciculi, which arise from the mastoid portion of the temporal bone by short aponeurotic fibres. They are inserted into the back part of the concha.

Relations. Externally, with the integument; internally, with the mastoid portion of the temporal bone.

Nerves. The Attollens aurem is supplied by the small occipital; the Attrahens aurem, by the facial and auriculo-temporal branch of the inferior maxillary, and the Retrahens aurem, by the posterior auricular branch of the facial.

Actions. In man these muscles possess very little action; their use is sufficiently expressed in their names.