Frequencies of attached and free ear lobes in Lagos (Nigeria)

Morphological variability of the earlobe in a Spanish population sample

This article shows the morphological variability of the earlobe in a Spanish population of European origin. The frequencies of four lobe characteristics (attachment, contour, modeling, and size) and their degree of expression were studied. The relationship among the characteristics and the differences involving sex and laterality were also considered. The least frequent morphology, and of main use in solving forensic cases, was the very small size with triangle-pulled contour into the skin and crossed-discontinuous modeling. The most frequent morphology, and most clinically useful, was the medium-sized lobe with free-arched contour and eminent or cross-continuous modeling. The characteristics were all symmetric. Size and modeling showed sexual dimorphism. Some characteristics were associated with each other: attachment with contour and modeling and the contour with modeling and size. The least frequent peculiarities were sharp lobe and virgule. The literature is scarce on this matter, practically non-existent for some characteristics, especially modeling and peculiarities. For the first time, the associations of the ear characteristics were analyzed, and this information could be applied to forensic identification.

Side-to-side earlobe variations with respect to surface area and shape: a quantitative study

Side-to-side earlobe variations, based on the size of the earlobe surface area and a classification into earlobe types, were quantitatively analyzed in 58 female students, ranging from 20 to 22 years old. Using a new earlobe measurement technique, a closed-circuit outline of each ear was directly traced onto a clear polyethylene sheet, after which the surface area of the earlobe portion of each ear was identified, measured by a digital planimeter, and analyzed. Results revealed that side-to-side differences in the size of the earlobe surface area existed in all subjects. In contrast, based on classifying the earlobe shape into three types (i.e., tapering, square, or pendulous), differences in the mean earlobe surface area value among the three types were not significant. However, when the classification of the earlobe shape was reduced to only two types (pendulous or nonpendulous), the mean earlobe surface area value between the two types was highly significant. These results thus suggest that for a quantitative analysis of earlobe variations, classification of the earlobe shape into two types rather than into three types is the better method. This method makes it easy to distinguish earlobe differences. Further, if the earlobe differences are noted before ear piercing, a balanced ear piercing effect can be achieved.