Some people have a tiny hole just in front of the ear, where the ear meets the face. It is easy to miss: a small dimple or pinprick opening that has been there since birth, often noticed for the first time in a photograph or a mirror. It has a medical name, a preauricular pit, and although it sounds alarming, it is usually completely harmless.
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This article explains what a preauricular pit is, why it happens, how common it is, and when it is worth getting checked. It is general information only. It is not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose any individual condition. Only a clinician who examines you in person can advise on your own health.
A preauricular pit, sometimes called a preauricular sinus, is a small opening in the skin just in front of the upper part of the ear. The word “preauricular” simply
