What is the visible part of the ear called?

The visible part of the ear is called the pinna or auricle. This external structure is what most people recognize as the "ear" and plays a critical role in capturing sound waves and directing them into the ear canal toward the eardrum. The shape and position of the pinna help to funnel sounds, aiding in the directionality of hearing.

The auditory canal refers to the passageway that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum, but it is not the part that is visible externally. The tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is located deeper within the ear and marks the boundary between the outer ear and the middle ear, while the middle ear contains structures like the ossicles that assist in sound transmission. Therefore, while each of these components plays a role in hearing, only the pinna or auricle is the visible part.