Cup Ear
Zones of Constriction
The cup ear deformity—although frequently mislabeled as a prominent ear—is, in fact, a separate and distinct deformity.
Cup ear is characterized by two constrictive zones creating a “purse string” effect around the outer and inner cartilage framework. The outer zone (highlighted in red in the accompanying picture) is the helical rim and the inner zone (highlighted in yellow) is the vertical wall of the concha.
The outer zone “purse string” effect around the helical rim causes it to cup and shift forward. Similarly, the “purse string” effect of the conchal wall causes the inferior limb of the triangular fossa, the antihelix and the antitragus to bow forward—thereby narrowing and constricting the concha.