Lop ear

What it means

Anterior and inferior folding of the upper portion of the ear that obliterates triangular fossa and scapha.

The term 'lop ear' refers to excessive protrusion of the ear from the side of the head, that is, the external ear stands away from the head at a greater than normal angle (Normal angle of the auricle to the median plane averages 25 degrees in boys and 18 degrees in girls). Lop ears are usually larger than normal ears. Mild forms are limited to the superior ear, more severe forms affect the superior and posterior ear. The concha may be excessively concave. This should be distinguished from an Overfolded helix where the external contour of the ear is normal.

Rare diseases that can present with this5

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category