What is the outer portion of the ear commonly referred to as?

The outer portion of the ear is commonly referred to as the pinna. The pinna is the visible part of the ear that protrudes from the head and plays a crucial role in capturing sound waves and funneling them into the ear canal. Its unique shape helps in determining the direction of sounds, aiding in sound localization.

The term "concha" refers to a specific part of the pinna, which is the hollowed area near the ear canal entrance, but it does not encompass the entire outer ear. The term "canal" typically pertains to the ear canal itself, which is the passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. "Auditory" generally refers to anything related to hearing but does not specifically designate the outer part of the ear. Therefore, pinna is the most accurate term for this part of the ear.