tragicus tragicus the tragicus (muscle of tragus or valsalva muscle) is an intrinsic muscle of the outer ear. tragicusthe muscles of the auricula. (tragicus visible at bottom right.)detailsoriginbase of the tragusinsertionapex of the tragusarteryauricular branches of posterior auricular and auricular branch of occipital arteriesnervefacial nerveactionsincrease the opening of the external acoustic meatusidentifierslatinmusculus tragicusta98a15.3.01.039ta22095fma48974anatomical terms of muscle it is a short, flattened vertical band on the lateral surface of the tragus. while the muscle modifies the auricular shape only minimally in the majority of individuals, this action could increase the opening of the external acoustic meatus in some. additional images anatomy of human ear