Earlobe
Earlobe
Earlobe (pronunciation: /ˈɪərləʊb/) is the lower, fleshy, bulbous part of the human ear. It is an important part of the anatomy of the ear and is known for its lack of firmness and elasticity due to the absence of cartilage.
Etymology
The term "earlobe" is derived from the Old English words 'ēare', meaning 'ear', and 'loba', meaning 'lobe'. It was first used in the English language in the 14th century.
Anatomy
The earlobe is composed of tough areolar and adipose connective tissues, lacking the firmness and elasticity of the rest of the auricle (the external ear). In some cases, the earlobe is connected to the side of the face (a "free" earlobe), while in others it is connected directly to the side of the face ("attached" earlobe). The "free" or "attached" nature of earlobes is a classic example of a simple genetic trait in humans.
Function
Despite not having a specific function in human hearing, the earlobe can help in maintaining the balance and orientation of the ear, and also has a role in the physical attractiveness of a person. It is often adorned with earrings and other forms of jewelry.
Related Terms
- Auricle: The visible part of the ear that resides outside of the head.
- Earring: A piece of jewelry typically worn on the earlobe.
- Piercing: A hole that is made in the body specifically to insert pieces of jewelry, often in the earlobe.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Earlobe
- Wikipedia's article - Earlobe
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski