tragus

American  

[trey-guhs] / ˈtreɪ gəs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

tragi

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

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tragus British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• tragal adjective

Etymology

Origin of tragus

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

Example Sentences

Tumbling weeds are not uncommon, but no other species have been so large or as devoid of natural predators as S. tragus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

A sideburn that stops short of the bottom of the tragus will pass inspection most anywhere.

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2014

In the Rhinolophidae, the only family of insectivorous bats wanting the tragus, the auditory bullae reach their greatest size, and the nasal appendages their highest development.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2 "Chicago, University of" to "Chiton" by Various

DESCRIPTION.—Head broad and flat; labial glands developed; ears moderate, rounded above; outer edge straight, emarginate opposite base of tragus, terminating in a small lobe; tragus lunate; tail long; last vertebra free.

From Natural History of the Mammalia of India and Ceylon by Sterndale, Robert Armitage

It was found that the inner part of the right ear near the tragus and anti-helix of one of the individuals was scratched, and on the following day his hearing returned.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)