This small depression forms very early, during fetal development.
During ear formation, several structures must fuse perfectly. If this fusion is incomplete, it can leave a small visible opening: the so-called preauricular sinus.
This is therefore a detail related to how the body formed… long before birth.
A rare… but normal characteristic
Not everyone has this mark, which makes it intriguing.
According to some observations:
- It is more common in certain regions of the world.
- It remains generally quite rare.
- It can be present on one ear or on both ears
In the vast majority of cases, it causes no discomfort and has no impact on daily life.
A fascinating theory about our origins
Some researchers, such as Neil Shubin, have proposed a more surprising interpretation.
In his book Your Inner Fish , he discusses the link between certain human characteristics and our very distant evolutionary past.
According to this hypothesis, this small mark could be a remnant linked to ancient structures which, in our ancestors, were involved in breathing water.
However, be careful: this is an interesting scientific lead, but it does not mean that this mark has a function today.
