What is the name of the outer portion of the ear that funnels sound waves into the ear canal?

The outer portion of the ear that funnels sound waves into the ear canal is known as the pinna. The pinna serves as a critical structure in the auditory system, as its shape and configuration help to capture sound waves from the environment. It directs these sound waves into the ear canal, where they then travel toward the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and further into the middle and inner ear for processing.

In contrast, other components of the ear play different roles. The auditory canal refers to the passage connecting the outer ear to the eardrum, but it is not the outer structure itself. The tympanic membrane is the barrier between the outer ear and the middle ear that vibrates in response to sound waves, while the cochlea is a major part of the inner ear involved in translating sound vibrations into nerve signals for the brain. Each of these parts contributes to hearing, but the pinna is specifically responsible for the initial collection and direction of sound waves into the auditory system.