| an ear that has been deformed by repeated injury, resulting in an irregular thickening of scar tissue. |
| cauliflower ear n. An ear swollen and deformed by repeated blows. |
cauliflower ear cau·li·flow·er ear (kô'lĭ-flou'ər)
n.
An ear that is swollen, hardened, and deformed from extravasation of blood following repeated blows.
cauliflower ear
distortion of the cartilage of the outer ear as the result of an injury. If the injury causes bleeding between the cartilage and the skin, it produces a smooth and rounded purplish swelling. Accumulated clotted blood, if not removed, is transformed into scar tissue, causing permanent, odd-shaped thickening of the outer ear. Because boxers' and wrestlers' ears are subjected to so much pounding abuse, cauliflower ear is often associated with those sports.
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