Anotia
Encyclopedia
Anotia describes a rare, congenital
deformity
, a missing auricle, the external, visible part of the ear
. This contrasts with microtia
, in which a small part of the ear is present.
Congenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
deformity
Deformity
A deformity, dysmorphism, or dysmorphic feature is a major difference in the shape of body part or organ compared to the average shape of that part.Deformity may arise from numerous causes:*A Genetic mutation*Damage to the fetus or uterus...
, a missing auricle, the external, visible part of the ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
. This contrasts with microtia
Microtia
Microtia, also called microtia-anotia, is a congenital deformity where the pinna is very small and underdeveloped or absent . It can be unilateral or bilateral . It occurs in 1 out of about 8,000–10,000 births. In unilateral microtia, the right ear is most commonly affected...
, in which a small part of the ear is present.