A review of advances in the study of auricular disorders

Abstract 1.1. Methods for the simultaneous and separate study of electrical activity in the auricles are reported. 2.2. The possibility of various bizarre disorders of auricular action in man, suggested by these methods, is discussed. Such possible disorders are: (a) delay in contraction of one auricle (right or left); (b) delay in contraction of both auricles with normal sinoauricular-auriculoventricular node conduction and resulting decrease in P-R interval; (c) conduction block to ventricles and left auricle; (d) auricular premature beats without ventricular contraction; (e) flutter of the right auricle with fibrillation of the left; (f) fibrillation, flutter, or flutter-fibrillation of both auricles. 3.3. Further possibilities of study of auricular disorders and the necessity of new interpretations are pointed out. 4.4. The experimental demonstration in animals of functional pathways through the auricular muscle needs further study in man in the clinic.