
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Auricular hematoma
Introduction
Related Key Words and Synonyms:
Overview
Overview
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Auricular hematomas are caused by direct trauma to the pinna.The torn perichondrial vessels bleed between the detached perichondrium and underlying cartilage. Interestingly, the presence of a subperichondrial hematoma has been found to stimulate new and often asymmetric cartilage to form. This deformity, which is often referred to as cauliflower ear or wrestler’s ear, is often considered a badge of honor among wrestlers and rugby players.[1]
Physical Examination
Ear Nose and Throat

Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
