The tragus (from the Greek tragos, goat) belongs to the pavilion of the ear, it is a small protrusion at the entrance to the external auditory canal.

The tragus is a small anatomical structure on the surface of the pinna; Also called the auricle, the pinna is the visible part of the ear made up mainly of elastic cartilage.

The tragus is a small flattened protrusion, rounded to triangular in shape depending on the individual. It is located in front of and outside the external auditory canal (orifice of the ear).

The tragus is innervated by a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It has its own muscle, the tragus muscle, which connects this area to other parts of the earlobe. Above it is the conch, which gives rise to the helix which forms the curved rim in front and at the top of the atrium.

Made of cartilage and covered with skin, the tragus protects the opening to the external ear canal.

Skin lesions and tumors of the outer ear : due to its external location, the auricle is exposed to environmental influences and trauma (eg UV rays). Pathologies are rare but they can affect different anatomical structures. Regarding the tragus, it can be the site of the atrial appendage (3) (benign lesions) or benign tumors called cylindromes (4)

Accessory tragus : rare congenital malformation of the outer ear of a benign nature. Like the tragus, it is a small prominence made of skin and cartilage. It is usually located in front of the tragus, but can also appear on the cheek, neck or middle ear. Its presence may be associated with other rare congenital syndromes (Goldenhar or Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome for example) (5). The accessory tragus is usually removed by surgery.

Physical examination : visual examination carried out by the doctor who assesses the appearance of the tragus to detect any lesion, tumor or other anomaly.

biopsy : In the case of lesions or tumors of the tragus, the diagnosis must be confirmed histologically. A biopsy is then performed, which consists of surgically removing a fragment of tissue from the tragus. The removed piece is subjected to microscopic examination and / or biochemical analysis for various abnormalities or diseases.

The tragus is an area of ​​the outer ear that is common to pierce.