The small protruberances on each side, meant for stabilizing the position under the thumb. You will find on some models aimed mostly at teachers that the ears are a lite more pronounced, simply as an aid during long hours of teaching.
2. Puente / Bridge
The upper part of the castanet, including the ears and the holes for the thread. The classical design features a raised bridge, but many models nowadays are level with the shell, making a smooth surface on the entire exterior. As to the word bridge I haven't been able to find an explanation, but my guess is that it stems from older varietes, such as those found in ancient Greece, where you had thongs of leather with a shell fastened to each side, with the strip of leather serving as a "bridge" between the two.
3. Concha / Shell
Simply the concave exterior, or the playing surface. Most often round, slighty reminiscent of a scallop, they can be found in other shapes.
4. Labios / Lips
The rim on the inside, around the heart. The thickness/width of the lips is one of the deciding factors on the sound quality.
5. Corazon / Heart
The sound box, which truly is the heart of the castanets. The depth of the heart is the single most important factor in the sound of the castanets, with some newer models aimed for outdoor perfomances and such having double or even triple tiered sound boxes.
6. Punto / Point
The point is exactly that - the "point" where the two halves meet, thus producing the sound. If you'll look at a castanet from the side you will see that the side are slightly valved, thus the only points of the two halves that make contacts are the inside of the bridge where they pivot, and the point. Much care is lavished on the point in the manufacture process, since this is actually where the sound is initiated. The proper sound is determined by the heart, but without a decent point the sound couldn't actually be achieved!
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