Abstract
In this trial I undertook to study the ear from the direction perpendicular to the ear plane and I have described it in 3 portions, the upper beginning part of helix, the general contour of the ear and the lower ending part. (See Figg. I and II.) The upper four of Fig. I show the relation of the beginning part of helix to the baseline of the ear. I classified it in four types according to the angle of the beginning part to the base line, namely 0, 1, 2 and 3 which are standing, inclined, lying and hanging types. In 0 or the standing type the helix goes straight up from base point or a little inclined. In 1 or the inclined type the helix shows a moderate semilunar curve and the angle of the line connecting the topmost point of the helix and the upper base point to the horizontal line lies between ca. 20°-70°. In 2 or the lying type this angle is under 20°. In 3 or the hanging type the helix never rises above the horizontal line.
The lower nine of Fig. I show various types of lobules; I classified them in three types, R, P and Q and in each type three forms, 0, 1 and 2. The type R may be named round type and its outline shows a semicircular or ellip soil or ovoid curve. The type P or the angular type has rectilinear horizontal portion in its outline but its manner in joining with the cheek skin, that is, whether it joins with in rectangular or in acute or obtuse form, is left out. The type Q or the running type shows straight or a little out ward expanded or incurved line. When the border between the lobule and helix is quite obscure, it is described as 0 ; if it is somewhat clear, 1; when very clear, it is described as 2 as shown by arrows in figures.
Fig. II shows various types of general contour of the ear. I classified them in four types, A, B, C and D and in each type three forms, 1, 2 and 3. In the A type the widest breadth of the contour lies in upper one third of the ear length. In the B type the widest part of the contour runs one third or over of the ear length. In the C type the widest part lies in middle one third and in the D type in lower one third of the ear length. In the form 1 the contour shows a outward convex curve in its whole course from the helix to the louble. In the forms 2 and 3 they show one or two or more incisions or sinkings in their course respectively as shown by arrows in figures.
The method of description is free and not fixed ; it may be described as follows; 0 Al R0 or B2 1 P1, etc. We like to describe in former form. In this classification all other traits, e. g. Darwinian tubercle, development of the helix, shapes of the tragus and the antitragus, etc. are left out. Moreover I tried to give these types and forms some numerical values for statistical calculation. As for types of the beginning part of the helix, shown by the sign H, types 0, 1, 2 and 3 are estimated as 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. As for the types of lobules, shown by the sign L, R=2, P=1, Q=0. Their three forms, sign Li, have values 0, 1 and 2 respectively. For four types of general contour, A, B, C and D are given values 1, 2, 3 and four and thir three forms are 1, 2 and 3 respectively. They are shown by signs G and Gi.
Results of our investigations in several parts of Japan are shown in Table 1 and 2.
