Morphometric characteristics of cryptotia.

In this study, we measured the normal and affected auricles of patients with cryptotia by the Martin method, quantitatively analyzed the data, and conducted a comparative study. On the basis of auricular measurements, cryptotia is defined as a deformity of the upper one third of the auricle, which develops as a result of the sum total of vectors operating inferiorly and medially. Furthermore, these data showed that the deformity occurring along the vertical axis is greater and that the inferiorly directed vector is stronger than the medially directed vector. A helical adhesion-like deformity was observed in the normal side auricles of 3 patients with unilateral cryptotia, and the hypothesis that the upper portion of the auricle became embedded secondary to a deformity of the cartilage appeared to be valid.