What is the medical term for the area behind the ear?

The Postauricular Region: Medical Terminology for the Area Behind the Ear

The area behind the ear is medically termed the postauricular region. This anatomical area refers to the space posterior to the auricle (external ear).

Anatomical Classification

The postauricular region can be further classified into:

• Intrinsic postauricular fascia - The fascia directly adherent to the posterior surface of the ear 1
• Extrinsic postauricular fascia - The more fibrous tissues continuous with the scalp fascia 1

Clinical Significance

The postauricular region has important clinical relevance in various medical contexts:

Common Pathologies

• Neoplastic masses (28.8% of postauricular masses) including:

  • Benign tumors (17.3%) such as lipomas, osteomas, and nevi 2
  • Malignant tumors (11.5%) including basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas 2

• Congenital lesions (42.3% of postauricular masses) including:

  • Epidermal cysts (28.8%) 2
  • Dermoid cysts (7.6%) 2
  • Hemangiomas (5.7%) 2
  • Postauricular sinuses (rare variant of preauricular sinuses) 3, 4

• Inflammatory conditions (25% of postauricular masses) including:

  • Lymph nodes (23%) 2
  • Auricular perichondritis - painful swelling, warmth, and redness in the postauricular region, often following ear piercing 5
  • Perichondrial abscess - typically occurring within the first month after piercing 5

• Traumatic lesions (3.8% of postauricular masses) such as keloids 2

Age-Related Considerations

• In adults over 60 years of age, the postauricular region is the most common site (33.9%) for dermatologic diseases of the external ear 6
• Premalignant and malignant diseases are relatively common in the postauricular area in older adults 6

Clinical Examination Pearls

• When examining the ear, the postauricular area should be thoroughly inspected as it can harbor significant pathology that might be overlooked due to its location 2, 6
• Postauricular swelling may indicate infection (perichondritis), abscess formation, or the presence of a variant type of preauricular sinus 5, 4
• Auricular perichondritis presents with acute tenderness on deflecting the auricular cartilage, which helps distinguish deeper perichondrial infection from superficial skin infection 5

Treatment Considerations

• Infections in the postauricular region, particularly perichondritis, often require fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin) to cover common pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5
• Surgical drainage is necessary for postauricular abscesses 5
• Complete excision is critical for postauricular sinuses to prevent recurrence 4
• Early recognition and treatment of malignant lesions in the postauricular area is important, especially in older adults 6

The postauricular region, though small and sometimes overlooked, is an important anatomical area that can harbor various pathologies requiring specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.