Superior Auricular Muscle Under the Skin, Lateral View

Description

Over the lateral temporal scalp, the superior auricular muscle lies as a thin, fan-shaped slip immediately deep to the skin and superficial fascia, positioned superior to the auricle (pinna) and draped over the temporoparietal region. Its fibers run from the epicranial aponeurosis (galea aponeurotica) toward the superior aspect of the auricular cartilage, sitting superficial to the temporalis fascia and just anterior to the posterior auricular region. The helix and superior crus form the cartilaginous landmark inferior to the muscle belly. Orientation is clear. Superior is toward the parietal scalp, anterior toward the temple, and posterior toward the mastoid side of the auricle. Because the superior auricular is an extrinsic auricular muscle supplied by branches of the facial nerve (typically via the temporal branches), this lateral subcutaneous view helps map where motor fibers travel when planning incisions or flap elevation in the temporoparietal fascia. Injury here is less about loss of function, most adults have minimal voluntary ear movement, and more about collateral facial nerve trauma that can accompany temporal lacerations, rhytidectomy dissection, or auricular reconstruction. The plane matters. Staying appropriately superficial or deep to the temporoparietal fascia changes what you risk, including small vessels and nerve twigs that traverse this region. Educators can drop this plate directly into head and neck anatomy teaching to distinguish extrinsic from intrinsic auricular muscles and to reinforce surface anatomy of the lateral scalp above the pinna. Surgical texts and procedural guides for otoplasty, facelift approaches, or temporoparietal fascial flaps can use it to orient the dissection layer over the superior auricle and to label the superior auricular muscle without clutter from deeper temporal structures. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.