Anatomical features of auricular and retroauricular skin

Summary A comparative study is presented on the anatomy of auricular and retroauricular skin. Auricular skin is very thin and well furnished with vascular plexuses arranged parallel to the surface. The layer of subcutaneous fat is scanty, with no columnae adiposae extending into the dermis; the reticular layer of the dermis is evenly interspersed with adipose tissue. The organisation of adipose tissue is perivascular to the skin vessels. At the insertion of the auricle, the structure of retroauricular skin corresponds to that of auricular skin. Towards the hair line, the retroauricular skin gradually assumes the characteristics of the scalp. Consideration is given to the way in which the anatomy of the skin from the region of the ear influences the healing of such skin in free grafting.