Anatomical and Anthropometric Variations of the Human External Ear: A Standardized Photogrammetric Assessment

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 10, October 2026 | pp. 100–108

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/001012

Research Article

Title: Anatomical and Anthropometric Variations of the Human External Ear: A Standardized Photogrammetric Assessment

Names of Authors: I. K. Popa¹, G. N. Aslan²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Anatomy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
² Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

Abstract:
The morphology of the human pinna exhibits substantial intra-individual and inter-ethnic variability, which is relevant for forensic identification, reconstructive surgery, and ergonomic industrial product design. This study established a normative anthropometric database of external ear dimensions in a young adult population using standardized digital photogrammetry. Right and left ears of 200 healthy participants (100 males, 100 females; age range 18–25 years) were photographed under fixed focal and lighting conditions. Eleven specific anthropometric landmarks were quantified using image analysis software. The mean ear length was significantly greater in males (63.4 ± 3.1 mm) than in females (59.2 ± 2.8 mm; p < 0.01). Ear width averaged 32.5 ± 2.1 mm across the sample, with no statistically significant side-to-side asymmetry observed. The lobule width and lobule height showed strong bilateral symmetry (correlation coefficient r = 0.88). The free type of earlobe attachment was the predominant morphology, occurring in 68.5% of subjects, while the attached type was observed in 31.5%. The average ear index (width/length × 100) was calculated as 51.26% for males and 54.89% for females. These standardized morphometric findings define the distribution of physiological external ear variants, assisting maxillofacial surgeons in reconstructing anatomically accurate ear structures.

Keywords: External ear, Pinna, Anthropometry, Photogrammetry, Earlobe attachment.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 11, 2026; Revised: August 30, 2026; Accepted: September 15, 2026; Published: October 14, 2026.

Citation: Popa IK, Aslan GN. Anatomical and Anthropometric Variations of the Human External Ear: A Standardized Photogrammetric Assessment. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology. 2026; 15(10): 100–108. doi:10.46882/2026/IJAP/001012

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