The thylacine's face is superficially somewhat dog like, though with a comparatively longer, narrower rostrum (snout).  The large nostrils face outwards and forwards, and are surrounded by a naked rhinarium about 1¼ times as wide as long, which projects beyond the upper lip's edge.  From the front it is as wide as as it is high, but the lower third of the rhinarium is constricted to form a philtrum which bears two short vertical creases which extend partly to the upper lip (Pocock 1926).  The average number of vibrissae (sensory whiskers) are 7 genal (on the cheek), 7 supraorbital (above the eye), and 10 interramal (on the lower jaw) (Lyne 1959).  There is a profusion of mystacials (on the upper lip) but as is also the case with Sarcophilus (Tasmanian devil) there are no medial antebrachials (on the forearm) or anconeals (on the elbow).

. A thylacine's face in profile, showing the famous "yawn" that is interpreted by some to be a threat display.  Hobart Zoo (Domain site) - 1933.

    Ulnar or carpal vibrissae (behind the wrist) are also absent, as these structures are of little use to a cursorial (walking/running) species such as the thylacine.
 

. Portrait of a young thylacine.  Hobart Zoo (Domain site) - 1933.

Pale, whitish markings can been seen around the eyes and the bases of the ears (Le Souef and Burrell 1926).  The facial markings of the thylacine, including the white upper lip and the light area around the eyes, possibly serve to highlight the direction of gaze of the animal whilst hunting in a family group.  The pinnae (external ears) are of the type typical of dasyurids (Pocock 1926).  The anterior passage of the auditory meatus (ear canal) is a long, vertical cleft which is reinforced by a short, thick cartilaginous crest.  The lower edge is formed by a thick, upright, curved ridge which leads onto the cartilaginous antitragus.  The upper edge is formed by an anterior ridge directed outwards and downwards, and adjacent to this is the supratragus.  The body of the pinna is smooth, wide, and largely hairless, with the edge unfolded.  The ear cavity can be held shut by folding down the supratragus, therefore pushing the anterior ridge against the posterior.