Morphometric measurements of the Auricle and evaluation of Auricle deformities in human fetuses

Objective: The aim was to obtain morphological and morphometric data of the auricle, to determine the sizes of fetal auricles at different trimesters, and to classify the encountered deformities and determine their prevalence. It was aimed to contribute data to the literature for early molding treatment. Genetically inherited lobulus auriculae attachment types were evaluated. Material and Method: In the study, the bilateral auricles of 15 male and 25 female fetuses fixed with 10 % formalin were evaluated. The auricles were photographed in lateral recumbent position with a surgical microscope. Morphometric measurements were performed using the Image J program. Then, the deformities and attachment types of the lobulus auriculae were examined morphologically. The data were evaluated by statistical methods. Ethics committee approval was obtained (Decision No: 2025/206). Results: As a result of the morphometric measurements of the auricle, no significant difference was found in terms of gender and side. In the third trimester, a significant difference was found in all parameters compared to the second trimester. Statistically significant correlations were found between foot length and the examined morphometric parameters. When the morphology of the auricles was examined, deformities were detected in 52 (65 %) auricles. Among the deformities, the most common was prominent/cup ear deformity (32.5 %). When the morphometric measurements of auricles with deformity and those with normal morphology were compared, a significant difference was found in all parameters in auricles with deformity. Among the lobule of auricle attachment types, the most common was the pendulous lobule type (72.5 %). Conclusion: This study, by performing morphometric measurements of fetal auricles, will contribute to the understanding of the embryological development process, to the planning of early treatment for congenital auricle deformities, and to obtaining the necessary data for determining intrauterine gestational age.