Superior auricular muscle

The superior auricular muscle is a muscle above the auricle of the outer ear. It originates from the epicranial aponeurosis, and inserts into the upper part of the medial surface of the auricle. It draws the auricle upwards.

Structure

The superior auricular muscle originates from the epicranial aponeurosis. Its fibres converge to be inserted by a thin, flattened tendon into the upper part of the medial surface of the auricle of the outer ear.
It is the largest of the three auriculares muscles. It is thin and fan-shaped.

Nerve supply

The superior auricular muscle is supplied by the temporal branch of the facial nerve.

Function

Research on electromyographic signals in humans suggests the superior auricular muscle has a vestigial role linked to attempts to separate different sound sources.