What is the term for the small projection located anterior to the external ear opening?

The term for the small projection located anterior to the external ear opening is the tragus. The tragus serves as a significant anatomical feature of the outer ear, functioning not only in the structure of the auricle (the visible part of the ear) but also in enhancing the directionality of sound by helping to funnel sound waves into the ear canal.

Understanding the placement of the tragus in relation to other features of the ear is crucial for professionals in hearing instrument fitting and audiology. It is also important to distinguish the tragus from similar structures in the ear; for instance, the antitragus is located opposite the tragus, while the pinna refers to the entire outer ear structure. The helix is the outer rim of the ear and does not specifically refer to the projection in question.

Recognizing the role and position of the tragus can aid in procedures involving ear molds or hearing devices, making it an essential aspect of ear anatomy for hearing specialists.