| English Dictionary |
AURICLE
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Dictionary entry overview: What does auricle mean?
• AURICLE (noun)
The noun AURICLE has 2 senses:
1. a small conical pouch projecting from the upper anterior part of each atrium of the heart
2. the externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear
Familiarity information: AURICLE used as a noun is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A small conical pouch projecting from the upper anterior part of each atrium of the heart
Classified under:
Nouns denoting body parts
Synonyms:
atrial auricle; auricle; auricula atrii
Hypernyms ("auricle" is a kind of...):
pocket; pouch ((anatomy) saclike structure in any of various animals (as a marsupial or gopher or pelican))
Holonyms ("auricle" is a part of...):
atrium cordis; atrium of the heart (the upper chamber of each half of the heart)
Derivation:
auricular (pertaining to an auricle of the heart)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The externally visible cartilaginous structure of the external ear
Classified under:
Nouns denoting body parts
Synonyms:
Hypernyms ("auricle" is a kind of...):
cartilaginous structure (body structure given shape by cartilage)
Meronyms (parts of "auricle"):
ear lobe; earlobe (the fleshy pendulous part of the external human ear)
tragus (a small cartilaginous flap in front of the external opening of the ear)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "auricle"):
cauliflower ear (an auricle deformed by injury; common among boxers)
Holonyms ("auricle" is a part of...):
external ear; outer ear (the part of the ear visible externally)
Derivation:
auricular (relating to or perceived by or shaped like the organ of hearing)
auriculate (having auricles)
Context examples
The outer ear consists of the auricle, the ear canal as well as the tympanic membrane.
(Ear, NCI Thesaurus)
A vein that drains the auricle and acoustic meatus of the external ear.
(Anterior Auricular Vein, NCI Thesaurus)
SEE ALSO auricle.
(Murine Ear, NCI Thesaurus)
The organ of hearing: composed of the external ear, which includes the auricle and the external acoustic, or auditory, meatus; the middle ear, or the tympanic cavity with its ossicles; and the internal ear or inner ear, or labyrinth, which includes the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea.
(Murine Ear, NCI Thesaurus)
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