auricularis

noun

au·​ric·​u·​lar·​is ȯ-ˌrik-yə-ˈlar-əs  -ˈlär- 

plural auriculares -ˌēz 

: any of three muscles attaching the cartilage of the external ear to the skull:

a

or auricularis anterior : one that arises from the galea aponeurotica, inserts into the helix, and acts to protract the external ear

b

or auricularis superior : one that arises from the galea aponeurotica, inserts into the cranial surface of the pinna, and acts to elevate the external ear

c

or auricularis posterior : one that arises from the mastoid process, inserts into the cranial surface of the concha, and acts to retract the external ear