title: The postauricular fascia: classification, anatomy, and potential surgical applications.
abstract: In recent times, there has been evolving interest in the fascial structure of the ear, especially in relation to otoplasty techniques. Although the fascial tissues used in these procedures are referred to as "postauricular/retroauricular fascia," the sparse anatomical studies that exist use this terminology to describe what is the adjacent thicker and more fibrous structure of the superficial temporal area continuous with the mastoid region, rather than the tissue actually used in these procedures which is adherent to the posterior surface of the ear. There are clear clinical differences in the properties of these two structures, and this study set out to identify the anatomical nature of these differences, looking in detail at the anatomy and vascularity of the fascia directly posterior and adherent to the ear itself, highlighting its unique properties, and how it interfaces with the rest of the fascia. We provide a nomenclature to differentiate the fascia adherent to the posterior of the ear (the intrinsic postauricular fascia) from the more fibrous tissues continuous with the scalp fascia (the extrinsic postauricular fascia). Clinical applications for the fascia are suggested based on the vascularity and anatomy described, and our clinical experience.
authors: From the *Mersey Regional Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit, Whiston Hospital, Liverpool; †Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; ‡The Taylor Laboratory, Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; §Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham; and ∥Department of Anatomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors: Kayvan
authors: K
authors: Shokrollahi
authors: James Paul
authors: JP
authors: Taylor
authors: Cara M
authors: CM
authors: Le Roux
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Ashton
authors: Warren M
authors: WM
authors: Rozen
authors: Nicholas S
authors: NS
authors: Jones
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Payne
mesh_terms: D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004431:Ear, External / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D009626:Terminology as Topic