outer ear

external ear   n.  The outer portion of the ear including the auricle and the passage leading to the eardrum. Also called outer ear.

outer ear

The part of the ear that projects from the side of the head and functions to gather and guide sound waves toward the eardrum.

Main Entry: out·er ear
Pronunciation: 'aut-&r-
Function: noun
: the outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves towardthe tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal bone

outer ear out·er ear (ou'tər)
n.
See external ear.

outer ear   (ou'tər)  Pronunciation Key  The part of the ear in many vertebrates that is external to the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and contains the canal leading to the eardrum as well as the ear lobe and other visible structures. In mammals, the outer ear, which is made mostly of cartilage, gathers and focuses incoming sound waves and transmits them to the eardrum. See more at ear1.