Antitragus

Introduction

Antitragus is a term used in anatomy and medicine to refer to the cartilaginous fold on the human head that is located behind the ear. This is a small area that forms a protrusion on the front of the neck. The antitragus fold plays an important role in the mechanism of sound transmission, since it serves as one of the two central links in the formation of vocal resonance. Together with the mastoid process, this is the main sound resonating device of the human speech apparatus.

Anatomy

The parotid bone is the only place where the antitragus is attached to the head, and it is connected to the head of the mandible. On the surface of the cartilaginous part of the antitragus there are anterior and posterior commissures (ligaments), which connect it to nearby areas of the head and neck, providing shock absorption for the shock waves that occur during the formation of the voice. The antitragus ligaments have many functions, including reducing energetic vibrations of the auditory ossicles, softening sounds, and regulating transmission