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auricle

/ˈɔrəkəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: auricles

An auricle is a part of the human body — it means both the visible part of an ear and an upper cavity of the heart.

You'll most likely come across the word auricle in an anatomy textbook, since it's a scientific term for a body part. It's more common to call an ear pinna, or the external part of the ear, an auricle, although it's occasionally also used to refer to an atrium of the heart. The word comes from the Latin auricula, "ear," with the heart meaning stemming from the ear-like shape of the heart's upper chambers.

Definitions of auricle
  1. noun
    a small conical pouch projecting from the upper anterior part of each atrium of the heart
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    type of:
    pocket, pouch
    (anatomy) saclike structure in any of various animals (as a marsupial or gopher or pelican)
  2. noun
    the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear
    synonyms: ear, pinna
    see moresee less
    types:
    cauliflower ear
    an auricle deformed by injury; common among boxers
    type of:
    cartilaginous structure
    body structure given shape by cartilage
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