Morphometry of the Adult Human Earlobe: A Study of 547 Subjects and Clinical Application

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to define the factors that influence earlobe length and to establish a standard for adult earlobe length by sex and age. The study sample consisted of 547 adult subjects older than 20 years of age. A randomized, prospective design was used. Patients with malignancies, previous surgery or trauma to the earlobe, or congenital earlobe anomalies were excluded. The following variables were studied: sex; age; ethnic origin; skin complexion; height, weight, and body mass index; and piercing. Pearson's correlation, analysis of variance, t test, and multiple regression analysis were used for the statistical analysis. There were 383 women (70 percent) and 164 men (30 percent) aged 20 to 80 years. The average length of the left earlobe was 1.97 cm (SD, 0.42 cm), and that of the right earlobe, 2.01 cm (SD, 0.42 cm) (p < 0.0001). A post hoc test revealed a statistically significant difference among the three age groups (20 to 40 years, 40 to 60 years, and >60 years) in both men and women. Pendulous earlobes were significantly longer and less symmetrical than nonpendulous ones by t test. In men, nonpierced left earlobes were longer than pierced lobes; in women, there was no significant difference between pierced and nonpierced ears. Pearson's correlation tests for weight, height, and body mass index showed that only weight had a significant effect on earlobe length, and only in women. Analysis of variance for ethnic origin and skin color revealed a longer left earlobe in Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews compared with Ethiopian, Asian, and American Jews and Arabs and a short earlobe in blacks compared with dark and fair-skinned people. On multiple regression analysis, sex and age were the only factors that contributed to earlobe length. A table of average earlobe length by age was formulated on the basis of the authors' findings. These data, together with the knowledge that earlobe length changes little in women over 40, that earlobes are not symmetrical, and that right and left nonpendulous earlobes are symmetrical in individual patients and shorter than pendulous earlobes, can assist the plastic surgeon in deciding on the proper time for loboplasty. The preferable technique is creating a nonpendulous earlobe to minimize the chances of further elongation with time.

Morphometric Study of External Ear of Medical Students in College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal

“…In the current study, mean scores of EW for females were 3.06 cm and 2.97 cm on right and left sides respectively and those for males were 3.44 cm and 3.25 cm on right and left sides respectively, the difference being statistically significant in both sexes. Aging in human is characterized by elongation or ptosis of ear lobules which is a result of gravity and depletion of elastic fibres [16] and is worsen by an extra weight of earrings in females [17]. The mean LH was more on left ear (1.69 cm) than right (1.67 cm) in both males and females and showed no significant difference [15].…”

Asymmetry, Handedness and Auricle Morphometry

“…The lengths of both auricles were always larger in males than females of corresponding age in a study from Italy (Ferrario et al, 1999). In an Israeli population, earlobe length was found larger in males than females for both ears and the differences were statistically significant (Azaria et al, 2003). The average values of auricle length, earlobe length and width of right and left auricles were determined in a Rhode Island population and reported as auricle measurements.…”

Anthropometric Measurements of Human Ear Lobule in Adult Student Population

“…Sexual dimorphism is seen in the auricular linear dimensions with higher values in males. Brucker et al [5] observed an average LH to be 1.88cm and according to a study done by Bozkir et al [2] LH was 1.8 cm in young men and 1.7 cm in young women. Mc Kinney et al [15] obtained data from 100 volunteers and found a mean LH of 1.8 cm.…”

“…An acquired deformity that develops with aging may include elongation or ptosis of the ear lobe. This condition has been attributed to the loss of elastic fibres and gravitational forces [5]. The height of the lobe covers approximately 25% of the length of the ear and varies between 1.5 -2 cm.…”