Anatomy def: In adults, a 2.5 cm (1”) canal extending from ear flap (pinna) to ear drum. Other names: EAM, external auditory meatus, auditory canal, ear canal.
Outlander def: Ear hole! ‘Nuf said.
Learn about the external acoustic meatus in Anatomy Lesson #24, “Hear, Here – The Ear.” The channel is innervated by three different nerves explaining, in part, why it is so darned sensitive. Oh, and never stick small stuff into the EAM!
Read about the external acoustic meatus in Outlander book. Yes, Diana even wrote about this body part during Clair’s first and unfortunate encounter with Jonathan Randall, Esq., Captain of his Majesty’s Eighth Dra-Goons. Too bad Claire didn’t have a hot wire to hand! <G>
I had by this time recovered my breath, and I used it. I screamed directly into his earhole, and he jerked as though I had run a hot wire into it. I took advantage of the movement to get my knee up, and jabbed it into his exposed side, sending him sprawling into the leaf mold.
See Murtagh’s external acoustic meatus in Starz episode 202, Not in Scotland Anymore. Truth be told, ye canna see Murtagh’s meatus because the opening is covered by the tragus, a wee mound of skin and cartilage. Looking into the opening of the EAM requires a view from behind, sans hair, wig, bonnet, etc. Take this great example of Dougal’s EAM (Starz, episode 209, Je Suis Prest)!
A deeply grateful,
Outlander Anatomist