outer ear

outer ear

n.

See external ear.

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outer ear  (outr)

The part of the ear in many vertebrates that is external to the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and contains the canal leading to the eardrum as well as the ear lobe and other visible structures. In mammals, the outer ear, which is made mostly of cartilage, gathers and focuses incoming sound waves and transmits them to the eardrum. See more at ear¹.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

outer ear - the part of the ear visible externally external ear acoustic meatus, auditory canal, auditory meatus, ear canal, external auditory canal - either of the passages in the outer ear from the auricle to the tympanic membrane external organ - an organ that is situated on or near the surface of the body auditory apparatus - all of the components of the organ of hearing including the outer and middle and inner ears auricle, pinna, ear - the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear