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You contract your scalp to wiggle your ears
 Q:
What muscle do you use to wiggle your ears-Nancy, Kailua, Hawaii
A:
You contract the muscles of the scalp around the ears (see yellow areas in the figure) to wiggle your ears. These
muscles are called the "auricular" muscles and are attached to the helmet-like scalp tendon both in front (1), above, (2)
and behind (3) the ear. The auricular muscles are fastened to the bones and tissues of the scalp on one end, and to the
skin around the ear at the other.
[Bartleby.com] Muscles used to wiggle ears: 1, 2, 3
"The same nerve that causes you to smile or frown controls these muscles," says Patrick W. Tank, anatomy professor at
the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Most people can't wiggle their ears because they can't tell the muscles to move. The neurological pathway is a mystery. A medical technician can, however,
apply electrodes to the scalp muscles above the ears and make those muscles spasm by sending a small electrical current through the nerves. Then you can feel
where the muscles are and tell them yourself to wiggle your ears. Anyone can learn how because the necessary muscles and nerves are in place.
By the way, twice as many men as women can wiggle their ears.
Further Surfing:
Bartleby books online: Henry Gray's anatomy
medical-online.com: ear electrode stimulation
(Answered
October 10, 2001)
Comment
Readers' Comments:
- I can "tense up" the insides of my ears. When I do this, it happens in
stereo, I cannot control either side individually. When I do this, natural
sounds occurring in the room become slightly quieter, and I hear a loud
wind-like noise. It does not hurt me to do this, however, it gets a bit tiring
if I try to do it for more than ~40 seconds, just like clenching a muscle can
be tiring.
Can other people do this? Lord_Sharkwad, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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