tragus

[ trey-guhs ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural tra·gi [trey, -jahy].

1. a fleshy prominence at the front of the external opening of the ear.

tragus

/ ˈtreɪɡəs /

noun

1. the cartilaginous fleshy projection that partially covers the entrance to the external ear
2. any of the hairs that grow just inside this entrance

Derived Forms

• ˈtragal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragus¹

1685–95; < Late Latin < Greek trágos hairy part of ear, literally, he-goat

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragus¹

C17: from Late Latin, from Greek tragos hairy projection of the ear, literally: goat

Example Sentences

Smith underwent two operations in 2015 to remove her outer and inner ear, lymph nodes, tragus, salivary glands and temporal bones, according to Kennedy News and Media.

From Fox News

Were they too much for comfort, I asked Johan, a cherubic Belgian salesman with a thin gold ring threaded through the tragus of one ear.

From New York Times

I had been O.K. with the tattoo she had gotten earlier in the year and the tragus piercing before that, but I hit a wall at the septum piercing.

From New York Times

The TSA even maintains a blog, The TSA Blog, which chronicles the tragi­comic discoveries that routinely occur at our nation’s airports.

From Washington Post

Use your fingers to push in your tragus.

From Seattle Times