A preauricular pit is essentially a minor developmental anomaly that occurs very early in pregnancy, usually around the sixth week of gestation. During this crucial period, the human face and ears are rapidly forming from structures known as pharyngeal arches. Sometimes, these arches don’t fuse together completely seamlessly. When there is a microscopic gap or a slight hiccup in the fusion of the tissues that form the outer ear, a tiny tract or sinus is left behind.
The result? A tiny hole that leads to a narrow tract underneath the skin. Some people have them on just one ear (most commonly the right side, for reasons scientists still don’t entirely understand), while others hit the genetic lottery and have them on both.
