Muscles that move the Pinnae in Rabbit

Function of Pinnae

Pinnae are the external ear flaps that are present on either side of the rabbit's head. They help in detecting and capturing sound waves, which are then transmitted to the middle and inner ear for processing. Pinnae also play a role in regulating body temperature by increasing or decreasing blood flow to the ear.

Muscles responsible for Pinnae movement

Rabbits have two sets of muscles that move the pinnae. These muscles are:

1. The extrinsic muscles: These muscles are responsible for moving the entire ear in different directions. The three extrinsic muscles are the levator auris longus, the levator auris brevis, and the auricularis muscles.

2. The intrinsic muscles: These muscles are responsible for moving specific parts of the ear, such as the ear tip. The two intrinsic muscles are the tensor tympani and the stapedius muscles.

Functionality of the muscles

All the five muscles that control the movement of the pinnae are functional in rabbits. They allow the rabbit to rotate, raise, and lower its ears to capture sound waves from different directions. The muscles also help the rabbit to regulate its body temperature by increasing or decreasing blood flow to the ear.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rabbits have five functional muscles that control the movement of their pinnae. These muscles play an important role in capturing sound waves and regulating body temperature.