Basic Anatomy - The Ear

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Parts of the Ear

Pinna: The pinna (which is also referred to as the auricle) is the visible part of the outer ear. The pinna collects sound and then directs that sound into the outer ear canal.

Outer Ear Canal: The outer ear canal is a tube through which sound travels to the eardrum.

Eardrum: The eardrum (which is also known as the tympanic membrane) is a thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves reach it.

Hammer: The hammer (which is also known as the malleus) is a tiny bone that transports the vibrations received by the eardrum to the anvil.

Anvil: The anvil (which is also known as the incus) is a tiny bone that transmits vibrations from the hammer to the stirrup.

Stirrup: The stirrup is the smallest bone in the human body. It is also sometimes referred to as the stapes. It is “U” shaped and it transmits vibrations over to the cochlea.

Cochlea: The cochlea is spiral shaped. It is an inner ear structure that is filled with fluid. The cochlea is lined with tiny hairs called cilia that move when vibrated. The moving cilia then create a nerve impulse.

Semicircular Canals: There are three semicircular canals that are fluid filled tubes that loop around. They are attached to the cochlea in the inner ear and they help us to maintain our sense of balance.

Eustachian Tube: The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. It helps to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the air outside. When you go up a mountain and you suddenly feel a “pop” in your ear, this is the Eustachian tube working to equalize the air pressure in your middle air.

Nerves: The nerves carry electro-chemical signals from the inner ear (or the cochlea) to the brain to interpret what the sound is that was being heard.

Diseases of the Ear

The two most common diseases of the ear are deafness and vertigo.

Deafness refers to a partial or total loss of one’s ability to hear. Deafness can be caused by traumatic injury, through certain illnesses or through a congenital defect.

Vertigo is when the balance of the body is thrown off due to improper release of air pressure and defects in the parts of the inner ear.

Okay, now it is your turn to see what you can remember about the ear. Check out each of the following ten questions and see if you can determine which answer is the correct answer.