What is the term for congenital absence of the external ear?

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The term for congenital absence of the external ear is known as anotia. This condition is characterized by the complete absence of the pinna or auricle, which is the outer part of the ear that is visible. Anotia can occur as an isolated defect or be associated with other congenital conditions. It is a specific type of ear malformation and is often evaluated through a clinical examination, which differentiates it from other ear abnormalities.

In contrast, aural atresia refers to a closure or absence of the ear canal, rather than the external ear itself. Microtia is a related but distinct condition where the external ear is underdeveloped, resulting in a smaller than normal ear but not its complete absence. Otosclerosis involves abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, affecting conductive hearing loss but is not related to the external ear's anatomy.

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