What are the different parts of the ear and their functions?
What are the different parts of the ear and their functions?
Key points
- Hearing and balance are the two main functions of the ear.
- The ear is divided into three parts: the external, middle and inner ears.
- The transmission of sound takes place in the external and middle ears.
- The inner ear houses the cochlea (organ of hearing) and the peripheral vestibular system (organ of balance)
What are the three structures of the inner ear?
inner ear, also called labyrinth of the ear, part of the ear that contains organs of the senses of hearing and equilibrium. The bony labyrinth, a cavity in the temporal bone, is divided into three sections: the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea.
What is the function of the malleus?
ear bones. These are the malleus, or hammer, the incus, or anvil, and the stapes, or stirrup. Together they form a short chain that crosses the middle ear and transmits vibrations caused by sound waves from the eardrum membrane to the liquid of the inner ear.
What are the structures of the ear?
The parts of the ear include:
- External or outer ear, consisting of: Pinna or auricle. This is the outside part of the ear.
- Tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the middle ear.
- Middle ear (tympanic cavity) , consisting of: Ossicles.
- Inner ear , consisting of: Cochlea.
What do semicircular canals do?
Your semicircular canals are three tiny, fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear that help you keep your balance. When your head moves around, the liquid inside the semicircular canals sloshes around and moves the tiny hairs that line each canal.
What two structures does the malleus connect?
The malleus, or hammer, is a hammer-shaped small bone or ossicle of the middle ear. It connects with the incus, and is attached to the inner surface of the eardrum. The word is Latin for ‘hammer’ or ‘mallet’. It transmits the sound vibrations from the eardrum to the incus (anvil).
What structure vibrates the malleus?
The eardrum is connected to the malleus, one of three small bones of the middle ear. Also called the hammer, it transmits sound vibrations to the incus, which passes them to the stapes. The stapes pushes in and out against a structure called the oval window.
What is the most important structure in the ear?
The inner ear (also called the labyrinth) contains 2 main structures — the cochlea, which is involved in hearing, and the vestibular system (consisting of the 3 semicircular canals, saccule and utricle), which is responsible for maintaining balance.
What is the structure of the middle ear?
Middle ear(tympanic cavity), consisting of: Ossicles. Three small bones that are connected and transmit the sound waves to the inner ear. Eustachian tube. A canal that links the middle ear with the back of the nose. The eustachian tube helps to equalize the pressure in the middle ear.
What is the difference between tympanic membrane and eardrum?
Tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the middle ear. Ossicles. Three small bones that are connected and transmit the sound waves to the inner ear. The bones are called: Eustachian tube. A canal that links the middle ear with the back of the nose.
What are the parts of the ear and their functions?
The ear is the organ of hearing and balance. The parts of the ear include: Hearing starts with the outer ear. When a sound is made outside the outer ear, the sound waves, or vibrations, travel down the external auditory canal and strike the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
What is the outside part of the ear called?
Pinna or auricle. This is the outside part of the ear. External auditory canal or tube. This is the tube that connects the outer ear to the inside or middle ear. Tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the middle ear. Middle ear (tympanic cavity) , consisting of:
