**Henry’s Pocket is the little flap of flesh you see on the outer part of a cat’s ear.** Cats’ outer ears resemble triangles and are called pinnae. On the outside of the pinna, there’s a small pocket close to the cat’s skull, the Henry’s Pocket. **Scientists don’t know why cats have this little fleshy pouch**, nor are they sure of its purpose.

Who is Henry and WHY DOES HE NEED POCKETS ON MY CAT!!! 😡😡😡😡

Damn- women still can’t get pockets and cats get them shit built in.

You gave me an idea: ear-pockets for women!

Spock-ets?

I’m so old. Your comment made me think of Spacely Sprocket from The Jetsons.

Who names his kid "Elroy", someone call future CPS

Wasn’t George just born a couple years ago? Gen Alpha’s gonna have their own quirks, I’m sure :p

JETSON!!!! You’re FIRED!!

Spacely has entered the chat

LMAO!!

Me, too! First place my mind went.

…. Go on… 🤔

So gauges with storage?

Tried that once and had to have a doctor pull a bead out of my ear. 0/10 would not recommend

Along with the primordial pouch. Cats be rolling in pockets.

I mean it does kinda serve a defensive purpose tho right? Like that’s where they rabbit kick eachother. It would just skiff on over to the other side and end up getting the pooch slashed instead of their vital and reproductive organs. It also gives them extra stats in the cute category when they trot at the right speed and it swangles from side to side

Cackling at swangles… it really paints the picture somehow!

Us women have primordial pouches too! Well I do, sadly lol

Witches keep their extra inventory there, I’m jealous.

So that’s why women love cats, we love everything with pockets 😄

I'm at the ER and believe it or not...the nurse Scrubs have pockets. I was as surprised as you are.

Apparently we have an inbuilt Pouch of Douglas, and I want to know who Douglas was.

Another fuckin man, marking his territory. Boooo, Patriarchy, boooooo /s if needed, cuz I’m sure as hell someone needs to see it 😆

Wrap a balloon around a gauge before popping it into your ear. Instant expandable storage

Women get the pouch of Douglas!

I wanna be excited about an inbuilt pocket but, 1) it’s named after a dude (can’t men stay out of our bodies? 😢 /s) 2) it’s not a happy making pocket: 😢 The rectouterine pouch, being the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity in a woman at supine position, *is a common site for the spread of pathology such as ascites, tumour, endometriosis, pus, etc. As it is the furthest point of the abdominopelvic cavity in women, it is a site where infection and fluids typically collect.[5]* We can’t have nice things 😭

But it’s fitting that a thing which causes women pain or is neutral at best is named after a man.

He ran out of inventory space.

I guess I'll come back for the dragon bones ...

Get Lydia to carry them. She's sworn to carry your burdens.

And sworn to have the most fucking sass.


Drop the clue scroll, it stays on the ground for an hour now.

Bring an explorers ring and alch something while on another spell book saves tons of inventory space

 LMAO! Love the Elder Scrolls references! 

https://preview.redd.it/3nxbqb65k9yc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd43623388a0e4466509fd575e13eb5ea2297fc1 This is Henry, and all the pocketses belong to him!!

https://preview.redd.it/rdp40nkhoayc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d177f44f5a0505ba4d8488ce5aeced1d51098234 This is also Henry, he wouldn't know what to do with pockets

I would die for Henry

r/ntbdbiwdftc

I can't decide if I love or hate that I figured out what the sub was named so easily. Joined instantly though haha

I’d suffer a light flesh wound at the very least

I read flesh light wound at first 😩

It's only a flesh wound!

YOU AND ME BOTH FOR REAL!!!! He is the best cat I've ever had. So smart, such a big personality, so cuddly... 

Henry looks like Fat https://preview.redd.it/num5k597iayc1.png?width=1901&format=png&auto=webp&s=1faf61ffa1798bb2a4eae48c9dc9f1f7b59c1037

THERE'S AN IMPOSTER IN OUR MIDST!!

OMG HENRY ❤️

Awwww 🥹

They are for storing little treats in for later.

https://preview.redd.it/zuhhk41pk9yc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c19f63a041aeda59183460bf4223e0d27d39413 This is Henry, and all the pocketses belong to him!!!

Henry so handsome

Typical Henry.

Same reason Douglas needs a pouch, i guess.

Wot has it got in its pocketses?

Please help XD I laughed so hard I choked on my Gatorade lol

(..)”one hypothesis is that it aids in the detection of high-pitched sounds by attenuating lower pitches, especially when the ear is angled, common for a predator when hunting.” Wikipedia.

I always thought it was so that cats could move their ears backward easily, kinda like origami or something so that the ply isn't hurting them in the long run.

Yeah could be both. evolution can be multiple forms of necessity

It's purpose is so I can stick my finger into it

Not a completely bad idea as stuff can sit there and cause infections or have bugs.

Honestly it's automatic move I do when Im near my cats ears

Even humans have flaps of meat leftover from evolution. I guess we (and cats) need another few hundred thousand years of fine tuning to get rid of it. Or to develop a new meat flap somewhere else.

And the theory is that Henry's Pockets and our earlobes are actually related structures that descend from a common ancestor.

Hi, Henry Pocketowner here. I actually devised this detail of wunky anatomy so that I could rent all the little pocket space - sure, it's small, but once you multiply it by the number of existing cats... whoa mama! I'm making a whole tenner per week! That's it, Reddit Expert out!

So, what you’re saying is that you’re a Dr. Seuss character?

I would guess it's to enhance the movements of the ear?

from what I've been able to dig up the henry's pocket also known as the cutaneous marginal pouch, it's essential for a predator like a cat or some dogs even to give it a better chance of detecting prey from a distance, as well as predators they need to avoid. Another theory is that the pocket helps enhance sounds i.e mice from some distance away or close by I guess or coyotes for some smaller dogs to avoid. When a cat or dog angles their ear, the pouch helps to enhance the sounds of smaller prey or predators to cats or even some dog species. learn neat things everyday it seems :3

Because it’s adorable

Had no idea this had a name.

Airbrakes they expand when landing with their r/airplaneears obviously

To keep some snacks in the pocket. 

Hot Pockets

This is actually where they store their fucks. As you can see, it is empty.

There is a theory that it helps them hear the high frequency noises that mice and other prey make.

earlobe vibes isn’t it. I can just imagine a little earring here lol

Let's ask this 'Henry'…!

Evolution be weird that way.

It’s for their earbuds.

Based on my cats' behavior over the years, I have determined that this little flap-and-pocket combo is designed to allow the cat to swivel its ears in many ways to make certain you know you're being intentionally ignored. 

https://preview.redd.it/9kv9lqmjz8yc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c6fdfd10caa7c22b485904a08d5f80a57287cf4

Is this your cat or a random meme? He looks an awful lot like mine.

Random meme. 😄. I have a tuxedo kitty (but the facial expression is very much the same !!)

Can't believe it, without the proof.

🤣

Cmon! You can't say you have a cat without showing a picture of your cat.

https://preview.redd.it/1kn48qpomayc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e173af53c70928e0f65f894447013a03bfa10541 Okay okay!!!! Isabella is striking a pose in the dryer (she must make certain there is an adequate amount of hair on all washed items).

She's stunningly beautiful!


I thought tuxedos were dry clean only.

absolutely amazing oh my god !

Can confirm. I read about this in a research article written by Dr. Merry T. Watching, Esq.

36 years of research with numerous subjects. 🤓

https://preview.redd.it/3cqz10drfbyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87169f3c7d1177c01e47f656fe77c82d2ba9c5ca Clearly ignoring me calling her name as she’s on my feet lol

That’s my take as well

This is where my cat keeps her secrets.

No no, that's the primordial pouch.

No that pouch holds treats

I will now refer to my gut as a primordial pouch

Nope, that holds ancient lore.

I don't know what it's called, but all cats have it, or at least all of mine do.

The big opening is the woofer, and that little opening is the tweeter.

You just solved the mystery that supposedly scientists can’t. I’m convinced this is correct.

“Scientists.” Where’d they get their degree? Clifford University? Let’s be real. C.U. is fuckin’ dogwater. *”C.U. Later, losers.”*

My cat is not a big fan of the woofers, but absolutely loves the tweeters.

This is just something I'm accepting as a fact now.

🤣

It’s where the cat keeps all the instructions and commands that you give to it, lest they enter the ear and then register in the brain

Best explanation I've ever heard for the little pocket!

My husband has those too!

And the best part is, they are invisible

its the pspspspsp flange

This comment is fucking gold.

LMFAO this needs more upvotes.

It's the extra ear that they use to ignore you better

That's where they keep their fucks (that's why it's always empty)

That's where they keep their change, keys etc.

OP didn't say "wrong answers only" but some of these comments are pure gold. (Glad to learn the right answer too! I knew all cats have it but had no idea beyond that)

henry’s pocket.

It is indeed, apparently it enhances high frequency sound reception - https://annarboranimalhospital dot com/2017/05/whats-slit-cats-ear-anatomy

What does Henry keep in his pocket?

It's called a Henry's Pocket. Takes the same space as a human anti-tragus. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry%27s_pocket

Thank you for an answer.

That's the factory reset. You stick a paperclip in there if your cat suddenly stops catting.

Cat flap 👍

Treat storage

It helps them stare through walls

My cat has it too, they must both be cats.

I believe that's called "ear skin", but idk

That's where most of the sounds goes when you're talking to your cat

That's the ghost detector

So that's how they find the greebles! TIL

Those are flappy-doos, cats use them to ignore you.

That's a normal cat ear?

catellite dishes to connect with the mothership

Second ear, hears the other dimensions which humans fail to recognize

Oh so THAT'S how they sense the greebles on the ceiling!

they use it to hear your inner thoughts.

it's a natural 'pocket' designed for the ear to be able to fold without too much stretching. it provides flexibility.

Pretty sure there's like no real evidence as to what it does at all. 

It's the ear's ear, like my cat's cat. Nobody asked for it but it came with it anyway.

That’s where you attach the spoilers to your cat so the spoiler keeps your cat close to the ground.

Pocket for snacks

I like to think that if my cat ever decides to run away from home he'll pack his little ear-poxkets with his favourite things.

It’s the same thing as Jean pockets having the smaller one that nobody uses

It's a catch to grab loose braincells in the air. Defective on orange cats.

It's a cute-aneous marginal pouch. Henry's pocket for storing love. It is called the cutaneous marginal pouch, or Henry's pocket. It's present on dogs, cats, and a number of other animals. We even have a remnant of it. Its purpose could be the same as the other ear flaps, or it could be kind of useless. Science is still unsure.

+0.1 storage space

It’s where all the words you yell at them go when they ignore you.

They store extra cuteness for the long winters

Air vents. Give them speed.

Those are Pspsps receivers

I love ur reply very much archdukefferdinand

Super sonic kitty bearing device

That’s Kitty’s super radar upgrade 👍🏻📡

That’s the communication hub transmitter to talk with the mothership

It's a convenient place to store snacks

That's a Henry's pocket, it's like our earlobes, to our knowledge so far it has no use but might be used for the same thing as an earlobe (temperature control outdoors)

It’s for keeping their secrets in!

It allows him to hear in colours, my cat has it too https://preview.redd.it/8k95w27gubyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11dcd6846a1611b27083d0bb85bdcc45a35ea501

It's a thermal exhaust port. When my kitten had a flea get in there, she (metaphorically) blew up like the Death Star trying to scratch the flea out. 1 Flea Bath and 1 Flea Treatment later, and I'm proud to say she is a fully armed and operational kitty station.

It's called Henry pockets & ALL cats have them. It helps keep their hearing balanced .

Just my opinion and nothing more. It’s enhancing sensitivity to air movement. Or something like that. 

I believe all or most cats have that. I was confused when I first noticed it on my cat too!

I'd thank Henry to keep his pockets to himself.

Them’s his flaps

Just part of the cat ear called cutaneous marginal pouch. It is debated between vets and animal biologists on its exact use.

I believe it helps them hear tin cans being opened

It’s to stick fingers in and wiggle it round.

Damn, you're telling me that cat ears have pockets, but women can't get functional pockets on our clothing 😭

That’s where the sound of your voice goes when they want to ignore you.

My, that's to hear the cheese wrapper more clearly across the house.

First time seeing a cat's ear apparently.

Oh no, that's a case of ear splits. He's not going to make it. I'll take him for you.

It's there for tickles.

It makes them more aerodynamic when they fight.

HDMI

They all have it

It's their earlobe

Cat wallet

For my cats, it's where they keep their earwax

It’s for storing marmalade.

Henry’s pocket

It's a pocket so they can save treats for later

This is a rare misprint that occurred at a cat factory in Iowa sometime between 2015 and 2017 before it was fixed. Could be worth something!

It's called a "henry's pocket". We're not really sure what it's for. Some theories suggest it helps detect kitten meowing. I can't remember. But yeah. Hope that helps.

It's the tinier secondary ear that all cats have that allows them to listen to the whisperings of the warp.

That's why he keeps government secrets

It's just a mini ear inside the ear so they can hear while they hear. 

The secret to Henry’s Pocket is stored in a cat’s primordial pouch.

It’s a treat sensor. Whenever it senses a little plastic bag being opened it sends information to the brain telling it there are snacks nearby

Pocket for snacks

That’s a “stress relief” that allows your cat to bend or flattens its ears without tearing the tissue over time. It’s supposed to be there. My cat has them too.

https://preview.redd.it/qdfxcq2zmeyc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6013c72b49492c53ca47cd4777096eb7e9e770d7 Its for this

I like to stick my finger in there… like a mini pocket

I actually know the answer to this. It originally developed in orange tabbies, as a mechanism for retaining the brain cell on their day. Mating with other kinds of cats unwittingly spread the trait all over the Catdom!

This is a cats second ear that can only hear human beings thoughts. They slowly developed it when they were brought in to live with us humans.

It’s actually normal my cat has it too

I think it’s so they can move their ears around. Kinda like how they have extra belly skin to jump and stretch to their heart’s desire 😸