Auricular dimensions in computed-tomography: Unveiling the relationship between ear dimensions, age, and sex using three-dimensional volume rendering reconstructions

Figure 1 Example of predefined landmarks and resulting measurements visualized in a volume rendering image of the right ear. For the sake of clarity, the representation of the perimeter was omitted.

Figure 2 Preauricular assessment (colored area) of the anterior tragal crease utilizing volume rendering technique of the external ear. A: No vertical line in a 22 years old female; B: One vertical crease in a 68 years old male (red arrow); C: Two vertical creases in a 90 years old male (red arrows).

Figure 3  Correlation between auricular perimeter and patient age for both males (n = 329) and females (n = 342).

Figure 4 Raincloud plot depicting the significant (P < 0. 001) differences of length 1, length 2, perimeter and width 1 between males (m) and females (w) for the left ear. A: Length 1 left; B: Length 2 left; C: Perimeter left; D: Width 1 left.

Figure 5 Raincloud plot depicting the significant (P < 0. 001) differences of length 1, length 2, perimeter, and width 1 between males (m) and females (w) for the right ear. A: Length 1 right; B: Length 2 right; C: Perimeter right; D: Width 1 right.

Figure 6 Evaluation of preauricular vertical lines. A: Without excluding ears with confounding factors (n = 671); B: With confounding factors excluded (n = 159).

Figure 7 Sex-specific evaluation of the preauricular vertical lines with confounding factors excluded. A: Men (n = 77); B: Women (n = 82).