The superior auricular muscle is a muscle above the
auricle of the
outer ear. It originates from the
epicranial aponeurosis, and inserts into the upper part of the medial surface of the auricle. It draws the auricle upwards.
Structure
The superior auricular muscle originates from the
epicranial aponeurosis.
Its fibres converge to be inserted by a thin, flattened
tendon
A tendon or sinew is a tough, high-tensile-strength band of dense fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is able to transmit the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system without sacrificing its ability ...
into the upper part of the medial surface of the
auricle of the
outer ear.
It is the largest of the three
auriculares muscles.
It is thin and fan-shaped.
Nerve supply
The superior auricular muscle is supplied by the
temporal branch of the
facial nerve
The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste ...
(VII).
Additional images
File:Auricularis superior.png, Auricula in context. Superior auricular shown in red.
See also
*
Anterior auricular muscle
*
Posterior auricular muscle
The posterior auricular muscle is a muscle behind the auricle of the outer ear. It arises from the mastoid part of the temporal bone, and inserts into the lower part of the cranial surface of the auricle of the outer ear. It draws the auricle ...
References
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Muscles of the head and neck